This letter is in response to comment by David Brehaut in The Courier on Saturday, June 23.
I commend him for his article presenting details on what the Ballarat City Council has done.
However, I wish to point out that one of the venues which he included, being the Croquet Centre at Prince of Wales Park, was not funded by Ballarat City Council. The construction of these courts and clubhouse was totally funded by the Alexandra Croquet Club.
When the agreement was first negotiated that croquet would move to POW Park, BCC provisionally agreed to a partnership in which they would provide a third of the cost of construction. Councillors then placed a proviso that council funding would be conditional on the sale of the land currently used by croquet at the City Oval.
The sale never eventuated as the land in question was turned into a netball court.
Due to the unplayable conditions at the time of the croquet courts in Grove Street and at City Oval due to the continuing drought the Alexandra Club decided to sell their Grove Street property and go ahead with the construction of the new centre, totally funding the project themselves.
While we greatly appreciate the continuing support given to us by council officers during the construction and since, all ongoing court maintenance etc is totally funded by the club.
BRIAN REITHER
Alexandra Croquet Club
