UNITED STAND FOR UPGRADE
THREE clubs and a state MP have joined forces to push for a much- needed upgrade of outdated facilities at a Sandy Bay sporting ground.
Queenborough Oval’s cotenants — the Hutchins School Old Boys Football Club, Sandy Bay Junior Football Club and South Hobart Sandy Bay Cricket Club — formed a working group to seek funding.
Its quest has been backed by independent Clark MP Madeleine Ogilvie, who said the venue had gone without capital improvements for several decades.
“The women’s facilities are so beyond a contemporary standard that they are unusable,’’ she said.
Ms Ogilvie said it was a venue used year round by a range of people from all over Hobart and the ground’s suburb should not mean it was neglected.
“There is a sense some people have that because it’s Sandy Bay, they should be able to look after themselves,’’ she said.
“Postcode envy should not come into it.”
Cricket club president Michael Denehey said the change rooms particularly needed upgrading.
“The change rooms are probably as they were 50 years ago when my father played footy for Sandy Bay,’’ he said.
Mr Denehey said the group had drawn up plans to upgrade facilities, including the change rooms, and build a new function centre.
He estimated the vision would cost about $ 250,000.
The group is applying for various grants.
Junior football club president Fiona Sims said the venue was not fit for purpose and was somewhat “embarrassing”, adding that it was also not accessible to people with disabilities.