The new Mary Rogers pavilion at Ryan's Reserve on Swan St is nearing completion, with the six modules that will create it currently being fitted together.
The new pavilion, "the first modular sports facility constructed in Yarra", will incorporate new change facilities, kitchen and first aid facilities, accessible toilets, access ramps, public space and bike racks for the netball and tennis courts.
According to the council, landscaping work at the reserve is due to be complete by the end of July, with the facility set to reopen in August.
That will mark the completion of a $3 million two-stage project announced in 2018 by local member and Planning Minister Richard Wynne which has also seen the upgrade of the facility's four ageing courts.
The minister's announcement of the project followed a reversal of his 2017 rezoning of the land to build a 10-storey development on the site after a campaign by community group, Saving Ryan's Reserve.
In a speech following the win, organiser Maree Nihill described the victory as historic.
"A piece of land that has been in use as public parkland and recreational space for over 100 years has been rescued at the 11th hour," she said.
Cr Herschel Landes, who supported the campaign to save the recreational space, said the wisdom of maintaining it was borne out during COVID-19 lockdowns.
