Works on the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve couldn’t start soon enough for one local club, with players forced to train on “unsafe” ground.
Despite its growing membership base, soccer lags behind other sports in the support it gets, Bacchus Marsh Scorpions soccer club president Noel Stanley contends.
He says players train on grounds where concrete slabs have been inserted to anchor cricket stumps, and several players have tripped and suffered injuries.
And while the state government last week said it would pitch in for new lighting at the Masons Lane reserve, where Scorpions members train, it’s not enough to bring the oval up to scratch, he says.
“These lights will help in the short term, but we need a soccer pitch in Moorabool shire,” he said. “We’re one of the largest sporting clubs in Bacchus Marsh – we’re growing exponentially – it’s critical the council and government do something to accommodate soccer.”
Late last year, Moorabool council approved a master plan for an active sports precinct as part of the Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve. Stage one of the plan includes two soccer pitches, a multi-purpose sports pavilion and pavilions for equestrian use.
Construction of the ovals and buildings is due to start in February next year and be finished by the end of 2018.
Mr Stanley said investing in sports clubs was vital to steer young people away from crime.
“Being engaged in things like soccer cuts down on vandalism, and community harm and damage,” Mr Stanley said.
“A strong sporting culture is a deterrent from crime – it brings kids off the streets, away from their PlayStations, and gives them healthier options.”
Moorabool mayor David Edwards said the master plan for the racecourse and recreation reserve included designated soccer pitches – the first for the shire.
“The recommendations of the strategy will inform future investment in sport and recreation infrastructure in Moorabool, including Bacchus Marsh,” Cr Edwards said.
He added that the council’s single most significant investment was the redevelopment of Bacchus Marsh Racecourse and Recreation Reserve.
