Funding pitch to improve soccer

Council has endorsed detailed designs for a synthetic pitch and will seek external funding to support the $2.9 million project that has been referred to council’s 2020/21 budget process.

If council fails to attract external funding, the project will be undertaken as a staged development with the pitch taking priority.

Other works to follow would include female change rooms, mulching of the embankment, construction of a carpark and construction of spectator shelters.

Officers said the detailed designs enabled the project to progress to “shovel ready” status which would enable council to seek external funding.

Council’s long-term infrastructure plan lists the project to be delivered in 2020/21.

SportEng was engaged to work with the club to design a facility that was fit for purpose and met sporting code standards.

As part of the project development, council has initiated discussions with Warragul Regional College to develop a joint use agreement for the synthetic pitch, which will increase the chances of grant funding.

Baxter Reserve is currently co-managed and maintained between council and the club with council maintaining the playing surface and the club maintaining and managing the surrounds and pavilion.

The steep embankment at Baxter Reserve provides a safety challenge for staff or volunteers to maintain the grass as any maintenance vehicle could roll because of the embankment gradient.

Officers recommended the embankment be mulched.

The report to council said a synthetic pitch would have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years and expected surface replacement costs after that would be $500,000.

WUSC’s Peter O’Dea said the club recently copped a “scathing attack” on television about the ground’s poor playing condition.

He reinforced to council the desperate need for the project to go ahead.

Mr O’Dea said the number of mini-roos participants and girls and women playing soccer had “gone through the roof.”

Player Emma Thornton said the women played on a Sunday afternoon after the ground had been “chopped up” by the men’s teams and it was not always a safe playing surface.

Ms Thornton said the growth in women’s soccer had been phenomenal and women’s changerooms at Baxter Reserve were much needed.

Stuart Davis told council the club had won a state award for its mini-roos program.

But, he said, because of lack of facilities the club had been forced to cap its min-roos under 10s competition at 130 participants.

“We could easily cater for more kids. We could’ve had 200 this year,” he said.

Cr Joe Gauci, who is a coach and life member at the club, moved the recommendation, which he said gave the club certainty.

He said the detailed design work had been completed and now grant applications were very important for this project.

“It means the club and council officers can get on board and push forward.

Cr Gauci said the club paid $10,000 in water costs last year so there were savings to be made.

Cr Gauci said he was passionate about football and volunteered at the club. “This is a big thing for our club.”

Cr Darren Wallace said the club had teams in the state one league and deserved better conditions than what they have.