By Parker McKenzie
A local footy club has been left frustrated after being unable to use it’s facilities for 11 months, while council is hoping to complete the repairs by the end of the year.
Upper Ferntree Gully Football Club, which plays out of Kings Park Reserve in Upper Ferntree Gully, is currently operating out of three large marquees and multiple shipping containers provided by Knox City Council after their rooms were deemed hazardous because of mould caused by a roof leak on 16 June 2021.
Vice President Craig Bridle said on Thursday 2 July the club was originally told a contractor would be appointed to complete the repairs in December 2021 but the council is now saying works are on track to begin in mid-June.
“In May, they told us works were going to start the next week. It took us until last night to be told it’s now June. They’re not coming forward to us with information,” he said.
“This is extremely frustrating and disappointing. It’s embarrassing and it’s taken us going to the council to get a response to get that from them.”
The club was offered the use of a ground in Wantirna, however, did not expect the repairs to have taken as long as they have and were reluctant to leave their home.
Mr Bridle said average takings from the bar are down almost $1000 each home game, with their regular Thursday night meals after training also dropping in greatly needed revenue.
“I’m sure Council has plenty of stuff to do but you’ve got a facility used by us, the cricket club and the junior club and you can’t get it fixed in 11 months,” he said.
“It’s killing us and the morale. They’ve just dragged their heels.”
Another member of the Upper Ferntree Football Club committee estimated the club will lose around $75,000 across the season as it struggles with player retention and languishes at the bottom of the Division 1 table.
At a Knox City Council meeting on Monday 23 May, Mr Bridle and the Vice-President of Upper Ferntree Gully Cricket Club Tom Roleff attended to ask questions relating to the works on the club rooms and whether the facilities were covered by insurance when the damage occurred.
After Mr Roleff asked whether the Cricket Club’s season would be impacted because of works not being completed by October — 16 months after the initial damage to the facilities — he was told an October completion date was “achievable” but not confirmed.
Knox City Council said in a statement mould was first identified at the facility in April 2021.
“While there were some initial delays due to Covid-19 restrictions, Council has been working proactively with the clubs since restrictions lifted to ascertain the extent of the problem and address it,” council said.
“This required specialist contractors to remove everything from the building and the building to be dried before extensive investigation works could be undertaken to determine the source and extent of the problem and identify options to remediate the building.
“Council has worked with the two clubs on their preferred options, to either stay at the facility and be provided with temporary facilities, or to be relocated to another Council facility while the building is being repaired.”
Knox City Council said floor and roof rehabilitation works are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
