By PETER DOUGLAS
THE Yarra Ranges Athletics Club is poised to promote greater local participation in sport at junior and senior level.
The club’s base at Morrison Reserve, Mount Evelyn, is set to benefit from the construction of a new shaded spectator stand, which will become a reality after Yarra Ranges Council committed $330,000 to the project.
Despite much infrastructure work over the past few years, Morrison Reserve has been under-used due to a lack of all-weather stadium facilities.
But the construction of a spectator stand will help meet requirements of local school groups and other sports groups, which require large shaded areas to conduct events.
Yarra Ranges Athletics committee member, Brendan Dixon, has been driving the stand project for the past five years and was elated at council’s commitment, which will make up for a shortfall in funds.
“We have planted trees here but they need time to grow, there is no shade cover and that was stopping schools from using the area,” he said.
“We’re hoping the stand will cater for between 150 to 200 people.
“The club is starting to host some really big competitions, including AV Shield for senior athletes, we may even one day attract Olympians.
“The senior club is building up and we now have around 70 members.”
Yarra Ranges Shire has allocated the funds through its 2015-’16 Capital Expenditure Program – Future Community Projects Fund.
Mr Dixon said the project was due to begin after Christmas, with the designs already in place; though, the project will again go to tender.
He said the elevated concrete stand would feature a step design and corrugated roof.
Mr Dixon believes it is the start of much growth for the athletics club, which is considering hosting twilight competitions.
Fellow club member, Jamie Strudley, said the shaded stand was important to the community, because school sports provided pathways for greater participation.
“We need to get as many children involved in sport as possible,” he said.
Yarra Ranges Council unanimously passed the commitment at its Tuesday, 8 December, meeting, supporting a project they believed would be of great benefit.
Cr Maria McCarthy strongly encouraged council to support the bid.
“This additional funding is required because the application to build new seating and to accommodate requirements was more than the budget required,” Cr McCarthy said.
“Our support will allow this facility to become upgraded and support a facility in attracting national events.”
Cr Noel Cox said Morison Reserve had the capacity to become a major athletics hub in the shire.
“This needs to be built to improve its use, it’s a really good project,” Cr Cox said.
Yarra Ranges Athletics was established in 2010 and provides athletes from across the region opportunities in a club environment.
The club has already helped complete various upgraded athletics facility at Morrison Reserve.
Yarra Ranges Athletics hosts regular competitions, including track and field, and cross country, and also provides training for all level of athletes.
