Grove sport shake-up

Jessica Benton
Councillors have thrown their weight behind an $8 million sports precinct plan for Ocean Grove.
City of Greater Geelong councillors voted this week to release the draft Ocean Grove sporting infrastructure plan for public exhibition before final endorsement.
Council said the plan aimed to create a “premier township recreation precinct” at Ocean Grove’s Shell Road Reserve.
Mayor John Mitchelll, who holds council’s sport and recreation portfolio, said the plan would guide future use and ensure sustainable development of the reserve.
“Through this plan we’ve been able to prioritise works projects for each reserve so that we can ensure a strategic, long-term approach is taken,” he said.
“A lot of community consultation was carried out in developing this plan, so we’re confident it reflects the needs of Ocean Grove residents.”
The plan proposed a $4.1 million sports pavilion as well as new netball courts and improved sport surfaces, car parking, pedestrian access and “entry points”.
Under the plan, Ocean Grove football, netball, cricket and soccer clubs will relocate to the Shell Road precinct.
The proposal also included plans for redevelopment of the clubs’ former Memorial Recreation Reserve and Collendina Reserve.
Both reserves would be used for junior sport and community activities under the plan.
A council report said the Ocean Grove community had requested infrastructure improvements.
The report said the new plan would alleviate Ocean Grove’s “inadequate” existing facilities.
“There is an inadequate supply of sports sites to cater for growing recreational demand and the existing sports sites are constrained in that they are single oval facilities limiting their flexibility and ability to cope with growing demand leading to over-use issues,” the report said
Cr Mitchell encouraged Ocean Grove residents to have their say on the plan.
Residents and sport groups could submit their feedback until March 26, he said.