Coutas grounded
QUEENSCLIFF could be back playing cricket on its home ground as soon as this weekend, but the long-term management of the recreation reserve remains a concern.
The Coutas were forced to play their A-grade home match against Barwon Heads at Point Lonsdale in Round 1 as the recreation reserve was ruled out due to its condition.
Works to level a mound at one end of the oval were undertaken by Borough of Queenscliffe before the cricket season, but patchy winter grass has left it unsuitable for cricket.
Queenscliff Cricket Club committee member Toby Smith said the state of the ground was unsafe for fielders.
“Not being able to lose any teeth when you attack the ball is pretty important,” he said.
But council spokesman Connor Parker said the patchy grass was expected as it regrows following the works.
“Borough staff notified the club’s committee that rectification works would likely put the oval out of action for some time while the grass re-established itself,” he said.
Smith is set to inspect the oval tomorrow and it remains a possibility that the club’s Bgrade side could host Portarlington at home on Saturday.
Smith said a 10-year maintenance plan between the football and cricket clubs that use the oval and Borough of Queenscliffe would help address issues with the surface.
He said it was vital that a year-on-year maintenance plan was devised.
“Those things are easy to define but the three parties have to agree. We want a model of maintenance that utilises the resources from both football and cricket,” Smith said. “We want more community involvement. The only reason that hasn’t happened is because we let it slide.”
Parker said the current open door policy with sporting clubs was working.
“Borough staff regularly consult with clubs on how facilities are performing, and respond quickly to requests from clubs when problems with turf are identified,” he said.
Parker said the council would continue to engage with sports clubs to plan maintenance and identify improvements.