General News
18 September, 2024
Second attempt at Oval upgrade
Horsham City Oval's much-anticipated multipurpose facility and accessible change rooms could begin to take shape in 2026 if a second attempt to secure Commonwealth funding for their construction bears fruit.
At the recent meeting of Horsham Rural City Council, the five councillors present voted by three to two to make a follow-up bid for half of the financing needed for the next step in modernising the site, an initial application lodged in March having been unsuccessful.
At the recommendation of director of community and place Kevin O’Brien, council resolved to apply to the Department of Infrastructure’s Growing Regions Fund for $4,805,000 - almost half of the $9,611,110 required.
The forecast expenditure covers not only building a shared-space facility and AFL-approved change rooms but also demolishing existing structures, constructing two ticket boxes and a food kiosk, and landscaping the north-west entry to City Oval.
The required co-contribution by council – in this case, $4,806,110 – has already been approved by councillors as part of a four-year capital works program.
Mr O’Brien described the community facility as “the final piece of the funding puzzle” for the first stage of redevelopment of City Oval and Sawyer Park.
Cr Ian Ross voiced concerns that “so close to being in caretaker mode (ahead of Victoria’s local government election next month) we’re going to tie the council up for $9 million”.
Mayor Robyn Gulline said: “We’ve already got a $9.6 million project. Let’s see where the dice lands.
“If we’re successful, our community will be the better for it, and if we miss out, the next council will hopefully try again.”
Crs Gulline, Flynn and Les Power voted in favour of submitting a new application while Crs Ross and David Bowe opposed the motion.
Construction of the community facility is the final move in upgrading the sporting precinct as detailed in the City Oval Sawyer Park Redevelopment Concept Plan in 2021.
The laying of netball courts has already been completed and a contract has been signed for the erection of a netball pavilion.
The finishing touches to an event stage are being made, with its delivery due to take place this month.