Springvale Districts forced to shut corporate box shipping container

Council red tape has shut down this suburban Melbourne football club’s simple corporate box, leaving the club frustrated and desperate for new fundraising ventures.

The shipping container used by Springvale Districts as a corporate box.

A suburban football club’s humble corporate box has been banned by a local council.

Springvale Districts turned the shipping container into a small room for match-day functions last season, raising thousands of dollars.

With glass doors giving a grand view of games at the Newcomen Rd ground, a TV screening football and horse racing, and food and drink being served, groups of supporters were happy to pay good money to use the box.

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The club was pleased it had come up with a popular and novel fundraiser.

But the City of Greater Dandenong has told Springvale Districts it can no longer use the room, apparently because the club had no permit for it.

There was an immediate outcry from players and supporters when the Demons posted a statement about the issue on social media.

“After a hugely successful first year with our corporate box initiative, we unfortunately now have to inform all of our members and supporters that we can no longer host our match-day events!’’ the club said.

“The council has deemed our corporate box illegal and not council approved.

“This is extremely disappointing as this was an original, proactive idea that not only provided financial benefits to our club but also promoted attendance at local football which in our tough local landscape is desperately needed.

“After a long and time consuming process throughout the pre-season we were finally informed that we would not be permitted to have our corporate box.

“We are left frustrated and disappointed at the process and outcome provided by the council.

“It is just another ridiculous maze of red tape that local clubs have to navigate whilst trying to provide sustainable sport and health to the local community.

“We apologise to all the groups that had booked a match day package.’’

Fellow Southern league club Caulfield Bears commented: “Boo.’’

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There were appeals for Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades to intervene.

Districts secretary Joe Mahony said the corporate box was a “popular initiative of a well-loved club’’.

He said without it the Demons would lose thousands of dollars in revenue this year.

City of Greater Dandenong councillor Tim Dark said he had “sent an urgent email to the director regarding what is going on and also to seek a solution ASAP’’.

In response to questions as to why it had closed it down, Greater Dandenong Council’s community services director Martin Fidler said: “A meeting is scheduled with the club next week to discuss the use of the steel container and alternative options.”