Players ‘trapped in funding delay’

By Michelle Herbison
FUNDING delays will keep Ocean Grove footballers and netball players trapped in the league’s “worst facilities” for at least two more years, according to their president.
Ocean Grove Football Netball Club president Jeff Cunningham said the club would remain at “disgraceful” Memorial Reserve until State Government provided funding for new facilities on Shell Rd.
A council budget commitment of more than $100,000 would give the club “acceptable” toilets but Memorial Reserve’s netball grounds would remain “poor”, he said.
Council upgraded the club’s social rooms last year.
“That’s given us the opportunity to at least have functions in nice surroundings,” Mr Cunningham said.
“If all goal posts had lined up we’d be close to moving into Shell Rd now but state funding hasn’t come through.”
Mr Cunningham said he expected the club to remain at Memorial Reserve for another two to three years.
“We just need to make sure our facility is equal to other clubs we compete against.”
Mr Cunningham said the club was committed to move to Shell Rd as part of a new sports club incorporating football, netball, soccer and cricket.
Ward councillor Jan Farrell said council was forced to upgrade Memorial Reserve because the Shell Rd plan was “running two years behind schedule”.
“We weren’t going to spend money on the Memorial Reserve clubrooms but they needed some work.”
Council and federal money had paid for work so far at Shell Rd, including designs, earthworks and installation of soccer lights, she said.
The Shell Rd project required an additional $3 million from State Government, Cr Farrell said.
“We knew we weren’t going to get anything in this budget because lots of infrastructure had to go to the flooded communities. We’re very hopeful for next year.”
Bellarine MP Lisa Neville “reminded” Sport and Recreation Minister Hugh Delahunty in Parliament last month that Ocean Grove’s netball, football and soccer facilities were “totally inadequate and desperately need to be upgraded”.
Mr Delahunty said council was yet to develop a proposal for Government.
“Community sporting facilities are a top priority for this Government. However, the Government has still not received a proposal from City of Greater Geelong on this project.”