The Mt Clear community is set to see continued improvements to cricket and football facilities, as stage two of reserve upgrade works is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
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Upgrades at Mt Clear Recreation Reserve are expected to start by March. Planned work includes upgrades to the existing change rooms and canteen facilities, an access lift installed to level one of the pavilion, training lights on the second oval, drainage on the main oval and safety netting behind the west end goals on the main oval.
City of Ballarat director community development Neville Ivey said council was working with Sport and Recreation Victoria to finalise plans and funding for the stage two upgrade works.
A new pavilion was opened in March 2017 as part of stage one of the project.
Mt Clear Cricket Club coach Matt Ward said the new building had provided a ‘fresh’ feel for the football, netball and cricket clubs.
“It was quite cramped in the old rooms, especially having the front oval and the back oval going on the same day we have four teams here. Now we have got space to move around and a great shaded area,” he said.
The cricket club currently have five senior teams, but Mr Ward said new facilities made the club appealing to new recruits.
“Playing on the upgraded main oval and the second oval is a big contrast. It is green and soft out on one and a desert on the other,” he said.
“It makes a difference to the quality of cricket.”
Mt Clear Football Netball Club, Mt Clear College and Mt Clear Cricket Club use the recreation reserve facilities, as well as families in the community.
Mr Ward, who has been involved in activities at the reserve for 14 years, said it was nice to see the facilities improve over time, but there were still more upgrades on the wishlist.
“One day we would like to see the road sealed. You would have noticed a lot of pot holes driving in, especially in the winter,” he said.
“We have three cricket nets which are a bit run down so it is on our wish list to get some brand new nets.”
City of Ballarat director community development Neville Ivey said the upgrade project at Mt Clear Recreation Reserve was part of council’s sporting infrastructure works program, which includes projects at City Oval, White Flat, Warrenheip multi-sport facility, Wendouree Junior Athletics Facility, CE Brown Reserve, Eastern Oval and Mt Helen Tennis Courts underway in the 2017/18 financial year.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
