Eaton Junior Football and Cricket clubs one step closer to new digs as construction begins on new pavilion

The Eaton Junior Football and Cricket clubs are one step closer to getting new digs, with construction set to begin on the $2.1 million R & J Fishwick Pavilion. The clubs’ old facilities have been demolished and the new Pratt Road facility is set to be built by timber construction specialists Timberbuilt Australia. It has been funded by a $700,000 grant from the State Government’s community sporting recreation and facilities fund and the Shire of Dardanup’s building asset management plan. The new pavilion will be named after much-loved locals Reg and Jocey Fishwick, whose long-standing commitment to the Eaton Junior Football Club and the wider community dates back to the 1950s. It will be built primarily from prefabricated engineered timber and feature upgraded changerooms to cater for the increasing number of girls in football and cricket. Dardanup shire president Mick Bennett said the project was a win for local grassroots sport and would provide both male and female changerooms. “As users would be aware, the facility is extremely run down and has required replacing for many years,” he said. “The facilities at Eaton Oval have served over three generations of junior footballers since the 1970s.” Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns visited the site last week and said she was excited to see work start on a great multi-sports facility for Eaton’s junior football and cricket clubs. “The start of construction is an exciting milestone for everyone involved,” she said. “I’m proud the McGowan Labor Government has been able to support the Shire of Dardanup. “I’d like to thank the Shire of Dardanup, Eaton Junior Football Club and Eaton Cricket Club for working with me on this project and I look forward to our community benefiting from this facility.”