Soccer needs heard

A synthetic soccer pitch in Warragul has moved a step closer with Baw Baw Shire endorsing a business case and committing to detailed design works.

Only a month after hearing the desperate need for a synthetic pitch to cater for increasing soccer demands in Warragul, council has received a business case and committed to undertaking design work for a synthetic pitch at Baxter Reserve.

Councillors were told the project could cost about $1.4 million.

Endorsing the business case, Cr Danny Goss said the Warragul United Soccer Club was more than 50 years old and its playing facility was “outdated, poorly constructed, soggy and at times an unplayable pitch.”

Cr Goss said having a business case and designs completed would enable the project to be “shovel ready” for external funding.

The business case identified location options for a synthetic pitch, cost estimates and management models.

WUSC president Peter O’Dea made a submission to council during its budget process, saying the club urgently needed a synthetic pitch or would have to turn away players.

He said in recent weeks of wet weather, the last game was almost abandoned because of the condition of Baxter Park and under 14s had not trained at the ground in weeks.

“Games are going to be abandoned… from our point of view it is untenable to play at Baxter Park. “They say build it and they will come. Well we lost members because we didn’t build it. Our main concern ius our playing surface and the safety of our players

“A synthetic pitch would be a game changer for our club. We are more than happy for other clubs to use it because we want to see it being used,” he said.

Mr O’Dea said recent quotes obtained by the club indicated works would cost about $1.4 million for a FIFA standard synthetic pitch.

The report to council said the cost of developing a synthetic pitch was significantly higher than a natural turf ground and required significant additional expenditure of around Centre $500,000 for the renewal/replacement of the surface every 10 to 15 years.

However, Mr O’Dea said this was based on usage of 65 hours a week and with the right maintenance, a pitch could last 20 years.

The report also outlined ongoing fees for the club under council’s current pricing policy of $25 per hour for synthetic pitches, which could be about $40,000 per year.

Mr O’Dea said he was confident these fees would be absorbed within club fees. “If the club as a whole is hit with more costs then it will be absorbed across the club,” he said.

Officers said synthetic surfaces provided a significantly higher quality surface and increase the capacity of grounds, extending hours of use, beyond that of a natural turf surface which can be limited to around 25 hours per week.

“A single synthetic pitch at Baxter Reserve addresses the club’s current concern around surface condition but site constraints present further challenges for the development of any further playing area that may be needed to meet the club’s growth,” the report said.

Alternative options considered in the business case included:

Baxter Reserve - redevelopment of the existing natural turf pitch complete with full drainage and irrigation systems – estimated cost $700,000 plus the addition of ramp and stair access $235,0000;

Development at a greenfield site such as Lillico Rd that has the potential to allow for future expansion and could be master planned as a multi-use venue making better use of car parking and infrastructure development;

Installing lighting at Geoff Watt Track would make the ground suitable for all club training. This would allow all matches to be held at Baxter Reserve which, with less use, could be maintained at a higher standard; and,

Other playing surface options will become available at Logan Park, Warragul when the current users move to oval two at Western Park, Warragul from October this year.

Cr Goss said the need for the synthetic pitch was “well and truly obvious.”

“There is absolutely a need to put money into the design. Without plans we can’t access grants. Over the years this council has not had enough shovel ready projects.

“We need to be on the front foot and be in a position to advocate. If we have the project ready to go, you never know your luck,” he said.

Cr Jessica O’Donnell agreed that council needed to be on the front foot. “There are grants out there but we have to be in the best position.”

Cr Peter Kostos said the most important thing was this step forward was actually going to happen because this had been talked about and procrastinated about for 10 years.

“This is the first step forward for achieving something,” he said.

Cr Darren Wallace said this was all about progressing the business case forward and putting together a quality submission for a grant.

“The demand for soccer is only going to grow. Warragul is not only suffering from the demand for the sport but also its own success,” he said.