New cricket nets at hit in Beaufort

Published on 05 February 2024

Beaufort’s Goldfields Recreation Reserve now has three brand new cricket practice nets and a storage shed for the cricket club and little athletics club.

The cricket facilities at the reserve haven’t been updated since being built in 1970 and these new facilities provide a better practice surface and improves safety for all users.

“Being able to provide better facilities for our clubs around the Shire is fantastic. These new nets address significant safety concerns with the old nets, making sure all our players are able to safely train,” said Pyrenees Shire Council Mayor Cr Robert Vance.

The new nets and storage shed were unveiled on Monday by Member for Ripon Martha Haylett MP, marking the completion of the $305,681 facility.

From left: Terry Sharp, Andrew Oddie, Martha Haylett MP and Jack Smith at the official opening of the new Beaufort Cricket Nets

The new facilities were made possible with a $100,000 grant from the Victorian Government, a $135,681 contribution from Pyrenees Shire Council, and contributions of $30,000 from the Beaufort Community Bank and Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund, and $10,000 from the Beaufort Cricket Club.

“It takes a lot of hard work to get a project like this off the ground everyone involved in making this happen should be proud of the result,” Cr Vance said.

The nets will be available for use by local cricket clubs, visiting cricket clubs, and local schools.

“We look forward to this facility being used by both our community and visiting cricket clubs for many years to come,” Cr Vance said.

Lead image: Pyrenees Shire Council Mayor Cr Robert Vance, Beaufort Cricket Club President Andrew Oddie, Member for Ripon Martha Haylett MP, Pyrenees Shire Council Manager Assets Tim Day, and Cave Hill Creek owner Tim Chandler enjoy the new cricket facilities at the Goldfields Recreation Reserve in Beaufort.