On Saturday and again on Sunday the several clubs that call Coughlin Park home celebrated the grand re-opening.

The project was completed on time and on budget.

The $1.5-million upgrade was achieved with support from the state government, local government and user clubs.

Horsham Saints football director Roger Sordello said the upgrade was fantastic and, in his mind, were among the best club facilities in the Wimmera.

“For a long time the facilities here have been sub-standard,” he said. “They were completed back in the day as a bandaid fix.  Now they have surpassed most other clubs in terms of what we can do with this space.”

The upgrades included a new electronic scoreboard, commentary boxes and large viewing area.

Despite the cool weather on Sunday, a huge crowd flooded through the gates of Coughlin Park to catch a glimpse of the new centre.

“I think a lot of people are in awe of the Coughlin Park Community Centre,” Sordello said.

He said the community centre upgrade could not have been completed without the assistance of volunteers.

Parish priest  Fr Peter Hudson and Horsham mayor Heather Phillips opened the centre at an official ceremony on Saturday with the community celebrating on Sunday at the Horsham Saints versus Horsham game. 

Coughlin Park board of management chairman Brendan Ryan and Horsham Rural City’s Sue Newell were instrumental in the project being completed.