Fair call: Aaron McGlade, Carl Wood, Daniel Dorling, Professor Harrison Weisinger and Stretch Kontelj at the launch of the umpires’ clubrooms upgrade.
GEELONG football umpires have blown the whistle on the start of work for their new headquarters.
But they could end up sharing their upgraded clubrooms at Kardinia Park with St Mary’s Sporting Club after completion of the $1 million project around the middle of next year.
Ward councillor Stretch Kontelj joined Geelong Football Umpires League members and officials this week to launch the start of work on the refurbishment.
Cr Kontelj said the project featured work on change rooms, toilets and showers for male, female and disabled users as well as an open-plan meeting and coaching panel room.
The project would provide “community and sports groups with a versatile and modern facility” he said.
“The club rooms are used regularly by the Geelong Football Club, Football Geelong, Geelong Cricket Association and Aikido Martial Arts training.
“Other community groups have expressed interest in using the rooms if they are upgraded, such as the St Mary’s Sporting Club, Geelong Volunteering, the Victorian Education Department and community service agencies.”
“The netball groups who use the upgraded netball courts nearby will also be able to make use of the new change rooms and social rooms.”
“This is a fantastic project that I am very pleased to be a part of.”
Mayor John Mitchell, who holds council’s sports and recreation portfolio, credited the project funding commitments from the umpires league, City Hall, the AFL and state and federal governments.
“The new rooms will be modern and functional for regular use as well as allowing the clubs to hold more effective meetings and enjoyable social events,” he said.
