Spotswood cricket, footy and netball clubs fume over McLean Reserve

A sporting organisation in Melbourne’s west has described its facility as an “embarrassment” with some teams forced into shipping containers.

Opposition teams are being forced to prepare for games in shipping containers at Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood as upgrade works continue.

The venue’s user groups are describing the situation as an “embarrassment” as they face more delays to the redevelopment.

The precinct in Melbourne’s west has been undergoing upgrades since 2020 with the West Gate Tunnel project also visible from the ground.

Among the redevelopment projects has been the construction of a pavilion which is expected to be completed at the end of July according to Hobsons Bay City Council, which is managing the works.

Works on the pavilion, which sits on the eastern side of the main oval, means away teams are being forced to use shipping containers as change rooms when both grounds are being used.

Forty-four players are sharing two showers and three toilets as they will be on Saturday with Spotswood hosting a Western Region league men’s reserves and women’s senior game at 12pm.

While a large area in front of the temporary canteen is a “mud pit” with no clear cover for spectators on either ground for game day.

The shipping containers being used as change rooms.

Spotswood sporting clubs are being faced with "embarrassing conditions". Photo: Facebook.

Spotswood Sports Club chairman Alan Given, who is also the president of the Spotswood Football Netball Club, said he continued to be left frustrated by the delays.

The group, which is a combination of representatives from the cricket, football and netball clubs, are “struggling to maintain members” due to the delays according to Mr Given.

The footy club had been hoping to celebrate the opening of the new pavilion with its Past Players Day this Saturday — an afternoon where premierships as far back as 1962 will be celebrated.

“It’s an embarrassment to our club,” he said.

“Opposition teams have been extremely understanding and we thank them for their support. We had planned to play as many home games in the second half of the season as possible because we thought the pavilion would be finished.

“We use to serve 120 meals on a Thursday night but now none of that is happening.

“There’s a major gap between the social interaction and everyday operations of our club.”

Construction works are still continuing at McLean Reserve.

Mr Given said the works were also continuing to impact club finances as well.

“Our finances are going backwards because of this,” he said.

“Why would members stay with us when they can go down the road and use world class facilities instead of what we’re offering.

“At the end of the day we’re a not-for-profit organisation who have had to become more professional like so many others and a lack of facilities means we are lagging behind.

“Everything is mounting up to destroy our clubs.”

Spotswood has two change rooms available for four teams.

A Hobsons Bay City Council spokesperson said council’s capital works program had been impacted by supply shortages throughout the pandemic but has continued to push through those challenges.

They said this includes works at McLean Reserve where the multi-year development project is scheduled to be completed by September.

“Council officers continue to work with all tenant clubs at McLean Reserve, and will to provide support during the disruption and as part of the move back into the new pavilion,” they said.

“The tenant sports clubs have been provided with temporary facilities to ensure sporting activities can continue throughout the pavilion redevelopment project.

“The pavilion at Donald McLean Reserve has been internally fitted and is scheduled to be completed by the end of July. Originally, it was scheduled to be completed in June 2022 however, Covid restrictions have resulted in significant delays to the project with limited numbers onsite for a long period of time and full construction shutdowns also occurring.

“Over the past two years, seasonal club fees have been waived and utility fees heavily subsidised, as part of multiple Community Support Packages from Council, designed to assist community groups in navigating through the Covid pandemic.”

Mud is an issue outside of the canteen and the pavilion being used.

Funding for the new pavilion is being provided to the clubs by parties involved in the West Gate Tunnel project.

“Donald McLean Reserve is an important community hub for Spotswood,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.

“Construction of the new pavilion is being managed by Hobsons Bay City Council and we're looking forward to the completion of this great new facility which will serve local sporting clubs for many years to come.”

Other parts of the project including the playground and open space upgrade is scheduled for completion at the end of September to allow for the garden beds and lawned areas to establish.

Works on external carparking will start next month.

Completed works have included an upgraded multipurpose netball and tennis courts facility, new floodlighting on both grounds and the installation of new cricket practice wickets — turf and synthetic.