Right on track

By Tania Martin
MOUNT EVELYN’S budding track and field stars soon could benefit from a $5.4 million athletics track.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges last week approved the plans for stage one of the development at Morrison Reserve, Mount Evelyn.
Stage one will cost in excess of $1.7 million and includes the construction of the track and field infrastructure, design work for the track, pavilion and car park.
The project will be put forward for the council’s 2010/11 capital works budget.
Lilydale and Yarra Ranges Athletics Club’s Brendan Dickson said the track would a major step forward for the region.
Currently the track at Morrison Reserve is a grass surface and there is also a 100-metre synthetic strip.
But Mr Dickinson said the conditions were sub-standard and had been for a long time.
He said whenever it rained the track became too slippery for kids to perform.
“We have had people falling over and a few injuries,” Mr Dickinson said.
He said it was not only used for athletics but other sporting groups used it for fitness as well.
“There is a big issue with obesity in younger kids and it’s important to continue to provide fitness for the kids,” Mr Dickinson said.
He said the proposed synthetic track could be used all year round instead of just in the summer.
Mr Dickinson said currently the club only had up to under 14s and budding athletes had to go further afield to Knox and Croydon to keep running.
He said a new track could enable the club to extend to seniors.
“That way we can hopefully keep them off the streets as long as possible and keep them involved in sport,” he said.
Runner, Molly Dickinson said it was really hard to run on the track with its up and down surface.
“When it’s wet it’s very slippery and my friends and I have even fallen over on the bumps,” she said.
“We have already had one competition cancelled and it’s only the first month of the season.”
Billanook Ward’s councillor Tim Heenan said the project had been lying dormant since 1992.
He said it had come before the Shire of Lillydale, but nothing had been done.
“This is a fantastic opportunity not just at a Mount Evelyn level but for all of the mums, dads and young people,” Cr Heenan said.
“It will also be a regional facility and is something for the whole Yarra Ranges.”
But Cr Heenan said the whole project would hinge on State and Federal Government funding.
Chandler Ward’s Councillor Graham Warren said it was vital for young people to have some sort of outlet like sport.
He said it would be great to have a regional athletic centre in the shire.
“We have had nothing for a year – a cow paddock,” Cr Warren said.
Sports Minister and Monbulk MP James Merlino said there was cash available for community facilities such as tracks.
“For the reserve to be considered, council would need to identify the project as a priority and lodge an application on behalf of the community,” he said.