Monbulk Soccer Club’s Jim Bras, Shire of Yarra Ranges Mayor Len Cox, Monbulk MP James Merlino, councillor Samantha Dunn and Sherbrooke Ranges Junior Soccer Club’s Lisa Doolan welcome cash for a synthetic pitch. 35597
By Tania Martin
THE fight for extra soccer pitches could soon be over, following a $600,000 cash splash.
Monbulk MP James Merlino last week announced the government would inject $300,000 into the project, along with the Shire of Yarra Ranges equal share.
For years Sherbrooke Junior Soccer Club has been fighting against a continuous lack of pitch spaces.
But the State Government last week announced a $600,000 project to reduce the squeeze.
The money is part of stage one of a regional soccer development in Monbulk.
It will go towards a new synthetic pitch at Monbulk Soccer Club’s home ground in Moores Road.
For more than three years hills groups have been campaigning for extra playing surfaces.
“The biggest, most important sport issue in the Yarra Ranges is the provision of adequate soccer facilities,” Mr Merlino said.
Over the past two years the demand for soccer in the region has jumped by more than 65 per cent.
Mr Merlino said the new pitch would be low-maintenance, drought-resistant and able to withstand more wear and tear.
“It will help cater for the growing community demand for soccer in the area, providing an alternative training facility for local soccer clubs and other sports whose natural turf pitches are struggling to cope with the greater numbers and drought,” he said.
Mr Merlino said the synthetic surface would enable the pitch to be used seven days a week, morning and night.
Sherbrooke Ranges Junior Soccer Club’s David Ceeney said this upgrade was well overdue.
The club currently trains and plays at seven pitches in the hills and puts strain on its resources.
Mr Ceeney said with the new synthetic surface, the players would only have to play at two pitches.
“It will reduce the stress and impact on the other grounds,” he said
“It’s great news.”
Mr Merlino said stage two of the project would be finding a suitable location around Monbulk for a region stadium with several pitches.
