By PETER DOUGLAS
Tigers roar as $2.5 million pledged for pavilion…
A PASSIONATE crowd from the Upwey Tecoma Football Netball Club piled into the council chambers last week to witness an historic moment for the club.
In what was an emotional night for the Tigers and the community, Yarra Ranges Council pledged its commitment to help fund a “long overdue” sports pavilion at the Thompson Reserve in Upwey.
The shire’s commitment results in $2.5 million funding in total for the pavilion, which will be used for community events and social gatherings, as well as for recreational and sporting activities.
At the meeting, council passed a motion unanimously to provide $1 million for the project, which will add to individual commitments of $500,000 each from the Federal Government and State Government.
Also, the Dandenong Ranges Community Bank Group will chip in an incredible $250,000, with the club also matching this figure.
Upwey Tecoma Community Recreation and Sporting Hub (UTCRASH) committee member Andrew Peterson addressed the council passionately.
“We now have the chance to have first-class facilities for the club and our community,” he said.
“There have been nil funds since 1960, and all upgrades have come through the club.
“The pavilion will be a huge benefit to the community, as well as being used for traditional sports uses.”
With support from the Tigers’ faithful, Mr Peterson thanked the collaborative work at all levels of government.
He paid tribute to Member for La Trobe Jason Wood, Member for Monbulk James Merlino and Peter Marke from the Dandenong Ranges Community Bank.
Yarra Ranges Council also committed to helping address an estimated budget shortfall of $670,000.
In addition, the shire will support up to $300,000 matched dollar-for-dollar with the UTCRASH group.
Cr Noel Cliff said the facility would be welcomed by the community, after describing the present site as “disgusting”.
Cr Cliff noted that portables are being used as change-rooms, which is unacceptable.
“This facility is long overdue … it is sub-standard and the community has put up with this for far too long,” Cr Cliff said.
“It’s not just for the football club, it’s used by all ages, including the U3A (University of the Third Age).”
Cr Cliff also described it as a victory for youth and mental health in the community saying, “finally, local kids will have somewhere to go”.
The new pavilion will also support a variety of local sporting teams including football, netball, cricket and taekwondo.
The hub will also include a designated Neighbourhood Safer Place, which will serve as a meeting place for the community in the event of a local emergency, such as bushfire.
