The works were made possible through significant funding commitments from Albury City Council, the NSW and Australian Governments, along with contributions from the club.
The project includes the refurbishment of the existing amenities building and the construction of a new, modern facility to meet the growing demands of the sporting club and wider community.
The upgraded pavilion now features four gender-neutral player change rooms, separate referee change facilities with showers, fully compliant accessible public toilets, a new community room, modern canteen, game day office, additional storage space and a large awning to provide shelter for spectators.
Previously, the facilities offered only two player change rooms and one referee room, which no longer met the needs of a growing and increasingly diverse participant base.
“With close to 400 registered players in 2025, our club has experienced significant growth, particularly in female participation. Currently, 31% of our players are female, and that number continues to rise each season,” explained Albury Thunder Junior Rugby League Club Vice-President Scott Harris.
“The new club rooms will not only enhance the experience for our current players but will also encourage more young girls in our region to become involved in our sport.”
The improved infrastructure now provides adequate space to support increased female participation by ensuring equitable access to private, modern and inclusive amenities. Accessible toilets, available during daylight hours, will also benefit the wider public, including families, casual park users and school groups who regularly utilise the grounds.
Albury Mayor Kevin Mack welcomed the upgrade, describing it as a major win for local sport and community wellbeing.
“We’re proud to support projects that bring people together and promote inclusive participation. The Sarvaas Park upgrade is a fantastic example of how smart investment in community sport delivers lasting benefits not just for clubs, but for the entire city,” Mayor Mack said.
“This is more than just bricks and mortar - it’s about ensuring our kids have a safe and welcoming place to play, train and grow. Sarvaas Park is now a space that can host larger events, accommodate more players and cater to a broader community.”
This important community development was made possible through a $2.1 million funding commitment from AlburyCity, a $350,000 contribution from the NSW Government to improve local sporting facilities for women and girls, and $250,000 from the Australian Government towards the redevelopment of the women’s change rooms. The Albury Thunder Junior Rugby League Football Club also contributed $70,000 towards the project.
The Member for Albury, Justin Clancy MP, said the redevelopment was testament to the vision and hard work of the club’s committed volunteers.
“It’s exciting to see Thunder Juniors grow and, just like the new clubhouse at Melrose Park, I’m pleased that funding from the former NSW Coalition Government has helped drive this project,” Mr Clancy shared.
“Well done to all involved and I look forward to this helping attract more families to sport.”
The redevelopment makes Sarvaas Park more versatile and capable of hosting carnivals and gala days for both rugby codes, strengthening its role as a regional sports hub.
The main user of the new facilities will be the Albury Thunder Junior Rugby League Football Club, which anticipates the venue will serve an estimated 3,000 people annually.
Construction was delivered by local firm Premier Building Construction Pty Ltd (PBC), following community consultation and a subsequent tender process.
The works involved partial demolition and refurbishment of the existing building. As part of the project, the outdated toilet block on the north side of the Kestrel Street sports fields has been removed.
In addition to providing improved user experience, the project supported approximately 30 construction jobs during the build. As the club grows, it’s expected new volunteer roles will be created to help manage the expanded activities and facilities.
“Albury Thunder Junior Rugby League would like to express our appreciation for the new club rooms at Sarvaas Park,” added Mr Harris. “They will ensure our facilities reflect the inclusive, respectful and safe environment we are committed to providing.”