AFTER two year’s work, and overcoming the collapse of the builder responsible for the rebuild, Jubilee Park Stadium has opened.
The project was believed close to completion when the builder, Lloyd Group, entered voluntary administration in late March 2023.
At the time, Frankston Council confirmed that four council projects had been impacted by the builder’s collapse – Jubilee Park Stadium, the Healthy Futures Hub at St Kilda FC’s former Seaford training base, Lloyd Park Senior Pavilion, and Eric Bell Pavilion.
In a statement to The Times at the time of Lloyd Group’s collapse, Frankston Council said it is working with appointed administrator Deloitte to assess the status of affected projects. “Council will work with all parties to ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible. Discussions with Deloitte to date have been positive and we expect to receive a progress report next week and are hopeful of a resolution within the next few weeks.”
“This is a disappointing situation for council and all involved. Due diligence checks to assess a company’s financial viability are routinely conducted as part of council’s procurement process prior to engaging a contractor for any major construction project. Lloyd Group were deemed sound for all projects, however in the current increased inflation market conditions, issues such as we are now experiencing are unforeseeable.
The newly opened stadium features six courts — including a show court with capacity to seat 1,000 people — as well cricket/ multi-purpose training facilities, occasional childcare, modern cafe, event rooms and female-friendly facilities, the stadium replaces a two-court netball facility that had been well and truly outgrown.
In a further coup for the local community, Frankston District Netball Association will operate the stadium, providing increased/diverse participation opportunities.
FDNA Board of Management President Corinna Harvey said this was a true multi-sport complex with a focus on building community connection.
“Netball embraces everybody. We want everyone to come and enjoy sport and to be with their families and friends to support their mental and physical wellbeing,” she said. “It’s an honour to play a part in bringing people together.”
While the stadium is the largest and most visible change within Jubilee Park in the past few years, it is one of many implemented as part of the park’s master plan.
Other projects just completed or underway in the precinct include:
- Realigning the Hill Street access road with car parking;
- Enlarging the Trotting Track oval;
- New sports lighting on John Coburn oval and the Trotting Track oval;
- Additional paved pathways around the Trotting Track and carpark;
- Upgrading of the Kevin Collopy pavilion; and
- New pathways, landscaping and tree planting.
In the past few years, Council also constructed 13 outdoor netball courts, upgraded lighting for football night games and training, and built new cricket nets and a new play space.
The new stadium – which is funded by Council, the Australian and Victorian Governments, Cricket Australia/Victoria and Frankston and District Netball Association (FDNA) – will now be able to host Victorian Netball League competitions. And Frankston’s state level competition team, Peninsula Waves, will also be able to play at their home base and showcase the netball pathway to young and aspiring netballers.