THREE Ballarat Football League clubs could post revenue losses as high as $15,000 this year because they are unable to play at their drought-affected grounds.
The clubs - Ballarat, Lake Wendouree, and Sebastopol - are concerned they could face tough financial times ahead if their home grounds remain closed this season.
Both Ballarat president Shane Manley and Sebastopol president George McIntosh expect their clubs to lose between $10-15,000 this year.
Lake Wendouree president Shaun Holloway yesterday feared his club could be hit with a similar figure.
The City of Ballarat has ruled Ballarat's Alfredton Oval, Lake Wendouree's Wendouree Reserve, and Sebastopol's Marty Busch Reserve too dangerous to play.
Poor surface conditions at the unwatered grounds have forced home matches to be played at the Eastern Oval and City Oval.
"We certainly won't hit our revenue targets this year," Mr Manley said.
"The ground situation is affecting sponsorship, memberships, gate receipts, canteen receipts, bar takings, and everything.
"It's heart-breaking for the whole club because Alfredton is home to 200 senior and junior players."
The reserve is also home to a new $400,000 sports club, which is yet to open for match-day entertainment.
Mr McIntosh said his club had planned for a prosperous season off the field with the appointment of former AFL hero Chris Lewis as coach.
"We were expecting a lot more cash flow with Chris on board," he said.
"We sold extra sponsorship signage at our ground because of him and so far we haven't been able to give our sponsors their money's worth"
"It's a bit hard to say how much we'll lose, but we'll be down big dollars."
Mr Holloway said he hoped recent rainfall could help soften grounds and have them re-opened soon so some revenue could be salvaged before the end of the home-and-away fixture.
The three presidents said they are already seeking ways to address options for ground watering in a bid to avoid a repeat next year.
"We're thinking about trying to put a bore down in the near future, but any plan requires a lot of money and coordination," Mr Holloway said.
"We're just trying to get through this year and make do with what we've got.
"Any game we get at home this year would be a bonus."
A City of Ballarat media spokeswoman said council workers would today inspect 22 grounds in the region, including Alfredton, Marty Busch, and Wendouree.
"We're hoping some of the 22 grounds will re-open for this weekend," she said.
"We understand that it's hard for sports groups, but they must remember we're still under stage-two water restrictions and player safety is still an issue."
RegionalOne BFL chief executive officer Rod Ward said the issue had the potential to threaten the survival of the average club, which must make $185,000 each year to break even.
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