A flooded, muddy pitch will soon be a thing of the past for Ballan Recreation Reserve where $100,000 of improvements to the oval’s surface are planned for this summer.
Sports Minister Damian Drum visited the reserve on May 21 to make the announcement of $55,000 towards reshaping the current oval, installing new drainage and replacing the turf.
Ballan Recreation Reserve president Simon Ross said the works were essential to maintain the facility, which he hoped would attract soccer and hockey teams down the track.
“It’s an integral part of Ballan,” Mr Ross said. “The work is needed to keep the oval up and running for footy, cricket and many other uses. Ballan Primary School also uses it for their sports days.”
Mr Ross said the cricket pitch would be moved, and the works would stop water and gravel from the car park flooding the Cowie Street ground during heavy rain.
“We’ve been waiting for these works for more than a year,” he said.
“The foundation needs to be right before you can proceed with other things. The oval is the foundation of footy and cricket clubs, and it has to be right.”
The reserve is also home to tennis, karate, netball, pole walkers and a bowling club.
The Nationals candidate for Buninyong, Sonia Smith, said the oval had been in use for 120 years.
“This will add to the high morale of Ballan footballers and cricketers training and playing – we’re going to see some sports legends in the making here.”
The funding was matched by $45,000 from Moorabool council.
“It’s a critical part of the culture in rural towns,” said Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell. “People often underestimate the impact of community facilities, especially for kids. It’s a big deal in the bush.”
The works will start in summer, with cricket and football games to be relocated to other venues.
On the same day last week, $80,000 in funding was announced by Mr Drum for new netball facilities at Melton Recreation Reserve; work on this project will get under way within the next financial year. Melton council will also contribute $75,000 to the $155,000 project.
Mr Drum said he hoped the works would encourage Melton and Moorabool residents to become more active.
