Simpson Recreation Reserve facilities to receive million-dollar makeover

“They simply don't meet today's standards for safety, accessibility or female-friendly sport.”

Zara Cuthbertson
March 26, 2026

One of Simpson’s busiest community hubs is set for a major overhaul, with a $1.1 million Recreation Reserve upgrade that will aim to improve accessibility and support the growing number of women and girls in local sport.

What happened: At a meeting on Tuesday, Corangamite Shire councillors voted unanimously to award a construction contract to BDH constructions, meaning long-awaited upgrades can now move ahead.

Costs for the project will amount to $1,127,890 excluding GST, with a 10 percent contingency of $110,000 also approved to cover potential cost increases during the build.

The project will deliver new home and away change rooms, an umpires’ room, first aid and trainer’s rooms, accessible toilets and showers, storage, office space and a briefing room.

Time for change: Councillor Jamie Vogels said the current change rooms were nearly 50 years old and no longer met modern standards.

The reserve is home to the Simpson Football Netball Club and Cricket Club, hosts the annual Heytesbury Agricultural Show and other community events and also provides camping.

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Corangamite Shire Council will make a formal submission to the state’s parliamentary inquiry into Victoria’s extreme conditions at the start of the year.

Pitching in: The project will be funded through a $1 million grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria, alongside contributions from council ($100,000), Simpson Football Netball Club ($115,000), the recreation reserve committee of management ($40,000) and Simpson Cricket Club ($10,000).

More women in sport: Beyond replacing ageing infrastructure, councillors said the upgrade would help support the growing number of women and girls playing sport in regional areas by providing more appropriate facilities.

According to Federation University, female participation in sport has increased in recent years, with 10.1 percent of females participating in sport in 2023, up from 9.5 percent in 2022 and 8.9 percent in 2021.

Worthy investment: Vogels said the new facilities would make the reserve safer and more inclusive for players, volunteers, officials and visitors, while also helping future-proof the site for community events and club growth.