Plans to redevelop the existing ground floor of the pavilion at Golden Square Recreation Reserve to meet today’s service standards and expectations.
About this project
The City plans to redevelop the existing ground floor of the pavilion at Golden Square Recreation Reserve to meet today’s service standards and expectations for accessibility, gender equity, sustainability, player safety and functionality.
The final design will:
- Consider the existing rooms and spaces within the current building and external area
- Address the specifications provided in Senior Sporting Association Guidelines
- Meet all legislative requirements including Australian Standards for all abilities access and gender equality

Project funding
- $2.5M project
- Australian Government grant of $500,000
- Club contributions
- The City will fund the remaining balance of the project costs
Timeline
- Early planning has started with detailed design and costings to be completed by the end of 2024
- Construction is expected to start early 2025 with completion prior to Christmas 2026
Frequently asked questions
The Golden Square Recreation Reserve is located at 279 MacKenzie Street West, Golden Square. The Recreation Reserve is on Crown Land with the City of Greater Bendigo (the City) is the appointed Committee of Management.
The Reserve is located within a broader precinct that includes the Golden Square Bowls and Croquet Club, the Bendigo Creek Trail, and Golden Square Swimming Pool. It is also near the Golden Square Primary School and Golden Square business precinct.
The Golden Square Recreation Reserve caters to sports including Australian Rules Football, netball and cricket and is home to several sports clubs that play in local sporting competitions and operate out of the facility under a lease agreement, they include:
- Golden Square Football/Netball Club
- Golden Square Junior Football Club
- Golden Square Cricket Club
The City recently purchased Backhaus Oval in Fir Street Golden Square. The reserve was identified in the 2020 Golden Square Recreation Reserve Master Plan and 2022 Golden Square Structure Plan as an ideal site to address Golden Square’s undersupply of public open space.
The reserve is a key strategic recreation link in Golden Square that will play an important role in the ongoing growth of junior and women’s participation in sport and public open space provision.
The City’s immediate priority is to undertake make good works to ensure structures on the site are safe. Planning for these works has commenced with an estimated return to community and sporting club use by June/July 2025.
For more information, visit the City's media release:
City purchases Backhaus Oval to support junior sport in Golden Square