Community will still have access to MCC Kew Sports Club site after sale

The future of the MCC Kew Sports Club has been determined, with a buyer set to take over the facility. And it has big plans to make full use of what it has to offer.

The MCC Kew Sports Club, which was bought by Carey Baptist Grammar School, recently received a big upgrade.

A prominent Kew sports club which was on the chopping block has been saved and will be accessible to the community after it was sold.

The Melbourne Cricket Club Kew Sports Club, which has about 600 registered users, will be taken over by Carey Baptist Grammar School — whose main campus lies a few hundred metres to the west — on March 31.

Carey plans to use the facility for a wide range of sports and activities for people of all abilities for the school and the wider community.

Carey principal Philip Grutzner said the school was “committed to preserving this site as a local facility that respects the historical purpose of the property, providing sport and recreation facilities to Carey and the wider community”.

The Barkers Rd entrance to the MCC Kew Sports Club. Picture: Rebecca DiNuzzo

The school’s announcement puts to rest any unease concerning what else the site could have been used for.

In a statement, the school said it would use the club in keeping with the philosophy of founders of the Kew Heights Bowling and Tennis Club and, more recently, the MCC Foundation.

While Carey plans to redevelop the site over time — including a synthetic sports pitch, outdoor multipurpose courts, a new sports hall and improved on-site carparking — the existing club house and off-street parking will be retained.

When not being used by the school, the wider community will be able to access the facility.

Boroondara Stroke Support Group vice president Brian O’Meara had been upset when the MCC was looking at selling the club. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Mr Grutzner said Carey would work closely with the community and Boroondara Council in relation to any plans and would “work to ensure any changes to the site and future use of the site will be made in line with our strong commitment to social and environmental sustainability”.

MCC president Michael Happell said in selling the site the MCC Foundation’s primary objective was to ensure it remained for the use of sporting activities and the benefit of the wider community.

“Carey was able to share (its) vision and committed to retaining the site for sporting use and for community use outside of school hours,” he said.

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The club has hosted lawn bowls for 139 years and the MCC had spent about $5 million on it after buying the club in 2012, squaring off owed money, upgrading the sporting facilities and adding a new bar and bistro to the clubhouse.

The site at 397 Barkers Rd features six en-tout-cas tennis courts and three lawn bowls greens.

Others groups using the site include the Melbourne Bridge Club, Boroondara Stroke Support Group, Vida Tennis and Kelly Sports.