SPORTING reserves in Olinda and Kalorama are set to receive massive upgrades under a multi-million-dollar Yarra Ranges Council plan.
The Olinda Recreation Reserve and Kalorama Memorial Reserve will both receive badly needed improvements after councillors endorsed a masterplan for the two sites at last week’s meeting.
The $1.2 million plan for the Kalorama reserve includes plans for a sealed road to Karwarra Gardens, a new pavilion with changerooms and improved landscaping and planting around the oval.
Meanwhile, more than $2 million will be spent on the Olinda oval to demolish the public toilets and pavilion and build a completely new set-up.
The masterplan was initiated by the Hilltop Recreation Society, which represents the various clubs that use the reserves.
The society’s president, Stephen Scott, said the Olinda reserve changerooms, used by the Olinda football and netball clubs, were more than 50 years old and didn’t have male toilets or disability access.
Mr Scott said the upgrades would benefit the tenant clubs and the Olinda community.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said the upgrades would be “fabulous” and were long-overdue.
He said the clubrooms at Olinda were so dilapidated they were about to “fall over”.
Cr Cliff said sealing the road to Karwarra Gardens at Kalorama Memorial Reserve was also a great move and would be of benefit to visiting tourists.
The plans for both sites will be open for public comment from early next year.