IMPRESSIVE: The Ablett Pavilion is on track to be finished for the start of the football season.

Ablett Pavilion on track for first round opening

Written by ALEX BAIRD.

WORK on Myrtleford’s Ablett Pavilion is close to being completed in time for round one of the Ovens and Murray football season on April 4.

Alpine Shire Council chief executive officer, Ian Nicholls, said the $270,000 development of a new look function room at the RC McNamara Reserve is "starting to take shape".

Works include:

• improving pavilion access;

• facilities for people with a disability;

• a viewing platform/balcony;

• a multi-purpose meeting room and administration office;

• upgrading catering facilities;

• improving heating, cooling system, water storage facilities.

Mr Nicholls said once the project was finished the multi-purpose venue would create a "great platform" for a wide range of community events.

"Obviously it will provide great viewing for football and cricket, but also be a magnificent backdrop for weddings and functions," he said.

"Before it was limited with its use, so to have disabled access to the building will provide opportunities for more events and was a key driver for the go ahead of the redevelopment."

Reserve committee member Bob McNamara - son of Robert "Charlie" McNamara who the ground is named after - has been a main instigator in the redevelopment and is thrilled with the way the project is coming along.

"Once we started it was hard to stop so to see it close to being finished is very exciting," he said.

"The capacity hasn’t changed, it will still hold in excess of 150 people, but the balcony and ramp area will create a much better viewing platform and will be a good atmosphere for events.