After 10 years in the making the Community Bank Stadium is now a reality, opening its doors to the public for the first time.

The centre was officially opened on Friday 10 February 2012, by Nillumbik Shire Mayor, Councillor Michael Young, Mr Rob Mitchell, Federal Member for McEwen, Mr Craig Ondarchie, Member for Northern Metropolitan Region, Barry Henwood from Valley Financial Services and hundreds of children from Diamond Valley College and Diamond Creek East Primary School.

Nillumbik Shire Mayor, Councillor Michael Young said the opening event would be a testament to its future use with lots of activities and sports on display.

Nillumbik Shire Mayor, Councillor Michael Young said, “We have been waiting a long time for this stadium to become a reality but what a fantastic facility it will be for our residents.

“It has been very exciting to see the plans that were on paper become a real structure and something that will be used daily and will help make our community even more vibrant than it already is.

“Back at the beginning when the stadium was just an idea and we were debating what would be the best outcome for our communities, we knew then it would not be possible without the assistance of others.

“Every funding announcement brought us a step closer to achieving this, the largest ever project for Nillumbik Council.” 

The funding for the stadium has come from:

• Council $3,582,390
• Federal Govt $3,500,000
• State Govt $2,500,000
• Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek Community Bank $1,000,000
• Community Fundraising $5,100

“I have no doubt that the Community Bank Stadium will become a lively bustling sports and community venue,” said Councillor Young.

Barry Henwood said, “It’s great to see that the local Community Bank® branches of Bendigo Bank has made the seemingly impossible possible with $1million towards the biggest single project ever undertaken by Nillumbik Shire Council. 

“We now have a facility that will serve more than 6000 people per week, primary and secondary schools, a variety of sports, community meeting rooms and also offers a first class facility for local amateur singing and theatre groups.

“The stage area, rooms for hire, café and the building itself, which makes the most of the acoustics, adds a new dimension to this centre and its usability. The whole place feels very open, spacious and welcoming.

“Community Bank® branches support local people, encourage community spirit and help get projects like this off the ground. Back in 2009 we said let’s build this Stadium, it’s great to see that happen.”

Master of Ceremonies for the event is Mark Howard, sports journalist from Network Ten. He will be introducing gymnastics performances, a slam dunk competition, a mini sports clinic with sporting heroes netballer Sharelle McMahon, basketball star Jenna O’Hea and gymnast Liz Gardiner and many other sporting events.

The new stadium features three basketball courts, a fully fitted out gymnastics facility, staging, seating for 900, function rooms and a café

The centre will be managed by the YMCA and used by Diamond Valley College, Diamond Creek East Primary School, Diamond Creek East Primary School, Diamond Valley Basketball Association, Diamond Creek Basketball Club and Diamond Creek Force Netball Club and the community as a whole.

For further details please visit the Community Bank Stadium website on www.communitybankstadium.com.au