The Pavilion is part of La Trobe’s $150 million Sports Park development – a key component of the University’s ambitious $5 billion University City of the Future plan to transform Melbourne’s north.
Governor Dessau, who in 2016 turned the first sod that launched construction of the Sports Park development, said opening the Pavilion to the public marked an important milestone in the history, and future, of the University.
“Victoria is a State deeply invested in its sporting culture,” Governor Dessau said.
“This new sports precinct will make an important contribution to our State, providing an opportunity for sport, active recreation, teaching and research in sport.
“Certainly, La Trobe University students have the benefit of these outstanding facilities. But so too does the wider community.”
The La Trobe Sports Park Pavilion provides staff, students and the broader community a space for boardroom meetings, group workshops, team days, theatre-style events, formal dinners and functions.
The Pavilion overlooks the newly-named Tony Sheehan Australian Rules Football Oval, premier Baseball diamond, FIFA-1 standard and accredited synthetic football pitch, and Melbourne CBD.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar, thanked Governor Dessau for attending the Pavilion launch as guest-of-honour, and said La Trobe’s world-class Sports Park facilities were in high demand.
“We’ve already seen the Melbourne Rebels, Carlton VFLW, Melbourne City Football Club and our La Trobe sporting clubs, holding training sessions on our Sports Park grounds,” Professor Dewar said.
“Now that we’ve officially opened the Pavilion, I’m excited to welcome a vibrant mix of community members and sports enthusiasts to La Trobe.”
The recently completed Pavilion and Oval, as well as a FIFA-1 standard and accredited synthetic football pitch, comprised phase one of the La Trobe Sports Park development.
Construction is currently underway on phase two of the Sports Park, which will include a new research and teaching building; an indoor stadium, complete with six, multi-purpose highball courts; space for commercial tenancy, and a plaza area offering a lookout to the sporting grounds.
Media contact: Dragana Mrkaja – 0447 508 171 – d.mrkaja@latrobe.edu.au
