General News
9 May, 2025
Feedback to preserve grandstand
The Central Goldfields Shire Council is seeking community feedback on their plan to preserve and modernise the Princes Park Grandstand.
Alongside the community and user groups, council have prepared draft concept designs for the future of the iconic Maryborough building.
The concept designs include the original grandstand building (both upstairs and downstairs) plus the clubroom facility constructed in 1979.
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said the stands were the heart of the Princes Park precinct.
“Now is the time to develop the concept designs we need so that we can advocate to federal and state government for the funding needed to preserve the grandstand,” she said.
A 2021 Conservation and Management Plan, which identified a range of urgent conservation and maintenance works, provides guidance for the project to preserve the landmark for years to come.
The project’s scope includes:
A new design layout within the existing space to increase functionality and use of the space.
Retrofitting of change rooms to be female friendly.
Renewal of structural elements and important heritage features.
Redesign of layout to allow for more co-sharing of facilities.
Refurbishment of changing rooms and toilets.
Access upgrades to the grandstand to allow universal access to the seating area.
Increasing disability access throughout the facility as per the Disability Discrimination Act.
Upgrade the canteen to make it compliant with health and safety requirements.
Cr La Vella appreciated the communities support for the project since August last year.
“We thank the community and the user groups for their input so far and look forward to wider community feedback so that we can finalise concept designs that will meet the needs of our community,” she said.
The community are invited to provide input from now until 5 pm Thursday, May 22 at www.engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/grandstand