Clubs celebrate planning for New Gisborne Regional Sports Field zone

OUTDOOR sports clubs in Gisborne are eyeing off a huge win and potential boost for membership with the release of a sports fields master plan.

Sports club members, from left, Jessica Ponton, Darren Ponton, Gary Sanders, Gus, Dan Trevillian, Chuck, Mitch Ponton, Jason Chuck and Glenn Boyd, celebrating the release of the New Gisborne Regional Sports Fields Master Plan. Picture: George Salpigtidis

OUTDOOR sports clubs in Gisborne are eyeing off a huge win and potential boost for future membership with a draft New Gisborne Regional Sports Fields Master Plan released this week.

The council document, released on Monday, details how 20 interconnected projects could
form the long-awaited $12.4 million sporting zone.

The proposed facility on the corner of Hamilton and Barringo roads, opposite the $2.5 million Macedon Ranges Netball Complex, would include the construction of a full AFL-sized synthetic field as part of a $6.5 million stage one.

According to the report, other aspects of that stage would include earthworks, fencing, floodlights, a pavilion, cricket nets, seal road and parking, tennis courts and associated infrastructure.

Stage two would see an AFL-sized turf field also built at the site.

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The council is understood to have set aside $2.8 million for the project which includes the purchase of land for $800,000.

New Gisborne Regional Sports Fields steering group secretary Helen Sankey said seeing detailed drawings and costings gave sporting clubs struggling with surging player registrations renewed impetus.

“We are 11 years into our campaign so for it to be acknowledged as a priority project by Macedon Ranges Council is really heartening,” she said.

“When you see the project in drawings and a feasibility study, it seems a lot closer.”

Mrs Sankey said as well as population pressures, existing Gisborne ovals were plagued by weather conditions.

“Over winter, Gardiner Reserve and Sankey Reserve don’t hold up as they are in a basin — a synthetic oval is crucial,” she said.

Steering committee chairman Jason Chuck said the ovals had been in such a state over winter
his Gisborne Masters Football Club players had trained under lights in the carpark at the Gisborne train station.

“Between Auskick, masters, women’s footy and the normal senior and junior footy programs, the grounds we do have can’t cope,” he said.

“It has well and truly got to stage where something has to be done and a $2.8 million commitment by the council is a huge step forward.”

Last week the steering committee presented their project to state Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, while meetings are also expected to be had with Macedon state Labor MP Mary-Anne Thomas.

Mr Chuck said with the need for state and federal funds, upcoming elections would be critical.

Gisborne Giants Junior Football and Netball Club coach Paul Geraghty said Gisborne Auskick was capped at 200 players this year due to ground capacity.