Community Trail Project Begins

The Heathcote Lions Club’s direct support for the O’Keefe Rail Trail took a large step forward on Friday 15th May, for the club’s funded new Rail Trail Pavilion for Heathcote. The day was marked by a contractor’s equipment preparing the site for building construction.

Construction begins for Rail Trail Pavilion in Heathcote. Photo: Daryl Dedman

The Herriott Street site will be transformed over the coming weeks, as the new structure rises up beside the rail trail and its new car park. Being constructed of Box Ironbark timber, the timber is being locally sourced, milled and fashioned by timber craftsman Joe McMahon. “This building will be admired by the local community and trail users, for its uniqueness and rich quality.” said Lions Club President Daryl Dedman. “There will also be a connection with the former railway, which once transported so much of the same type of local timber for firewood in Melbourne and for the mining industry in Bendigo.”

President of Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail group, Garry Long, welcomed this commitment of the Lions Club of Heathcote. “This is a club that the local community is very proud of, as it invests much effort and funds into improving Heathcote’s many facilities.” said Mr Long.

With the total construction time expected to be six weeks, Daryl and club members are looking forward to seeing the result benefiting local walkers and cyclists plus trail related visitors to Heathcote.