The Stawell Steps project at Cato Lake is to be officially opened on Friday, March 22. Picture: PETER BENNETTS
STAWELL - A massive community party featuring free live local entertainment and a community barbecue will mark the official opening of Stawell Steps at Cato Park Lake.
The opening will be held on Friday, March 22.
Cr Karen Hyslop said the entire community is invited to the event, which starts at 6pm.
"Stawell Steps has been a mammoth project for all the partners involved and we are really looking forward to celebrating the achievement," Cr Hyslop said.
"We encourage everyone to come to the event and help us open what is now a beautiful feature of Cato Park."
Stawell Steps combines two spillways to mitigate future flooding of the lake with a stepped, sculptural structure that can be used by the whole community.
The Steps project was a partnership between 11 organisations including the Council, Monash University Art Design and Architecture, the Federal and State Governments, local manufacturer Krause Bricks and the Victorian Floods Disaster Relief Fund.
Cr Hyslop said the steps were designed and built by 20 Monash architecture students under the guidance of their professor Nigel Bertram and Japanese architect Hiroshi Nakao, and with the hands-on expertise of local retired tradesmen and council staff.
"The students did a fantastic job on the steps and many of them will be attending the official opening," she said.
Member for Western Victoria, David O'Brien MLC will attend the event on behalf of Minister Hugh Delahunty and Minister Mary Wooldridge.
The Stawell Steps official opening will take place on Friday, March 22 from 6pm with a free community barbecue and local entertainment following the official opening. Please bring a chair, cushion or rug.
If you are interested in performing on the night, please phone Dianne Stewart at the Council on 5358 0550.