By Lewis Mulvey
This weekend marks a milestone for the Box Hill Hawks, as they officially open their brand new South Pavilion on Friday night, before it sees its first match on Sunday against Port Melbourne. The project to build the pavilion began in 2001 but hit a snag due to funding issues. However, through the hard work of club officials, the required money was finally raised and the project finished, and club director Gary Sammartino couldn’t be more proud.
“Numerous hours have been spent on the project,” Sammartino said on the eve of the official opening. “Everyone’s been banging heads together to get to this date, and I can’t wait to sit in the function room on Sunday to watch the game.”
Club President John Ure has been a major force in the development of the project. His discussions with AFL Victoria, the Hawthorn Football Club, the Whitehorse City Council and other stakeholders were a major factor in raising the necessary funds to complete the project.
“It’s been a long process,” said Ure. “A project of nearly two million dollars, with six different organisations involved in the process, and five years since it started.”
The impressive facility will house two function rooms, one fitting 170 people and a smaller room for 60 people, a fully commercial kitchen to provide restaurant standard meals and catering, as well as media facilities. The club also hopes to benefit the wider community by hiring out the facilities for events such as weddings and birthdays.
While the pavilion will reap many benefits for the Box Hill community, it is primarily an important leap forward for the Box Hill Football Club, providing a social gathering spot for club functions, and on matchday.
“The main thing is that it will change the way the club sees itself,” said Ure. “In the past if we wanted to have a function we had to go somewhere else. This facility works not only on a playing basis, but as a social base.”
Box Hill may now become a benchmark for other clubs attempting similar projects.
“We are at the forefront,” said Sammartino on the issue of ground development. “And other clubs have looked to us for advice on how to improve their facilities.”
Ure’s advice to other clubs attempting a similar project: “Don’t, it’ll drive you mad!” he said with a chuckle. “But seriously, get as many stakeholders involved as possible, with state league funding, local council funding and Australian sports funding, and get them as enthusiastic as possible.”
Enthusiasm will certainly be high come Sunday, as the Hawks look to unveil the South Pavilion with an important win over the Borough.
Last Modified on 23/07/2009 15:49