Goals kicked as revamped reserves open

ALTHOUGH formalities were originally planned for March, St Georges Reserve in Sebastopol finally got its official launch on Monday morning.

The facility has two fresh competition-grade sporting pitches, new drainage and irrigation systems, and state-of-the-art lighting towers for quality game-play year-round.

It was one of four sporting works projects recently completed across Ballarat that opened this week, alongside the $650,000 Mount Clear Recreation Reserve pavilion, oval and lighting refurbishment, the $550,000 MR Power Park all-abilities play space, and the drainage and irrigation work at Alfredton Reserve Village Green worth $800,000.

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said sporting clubs like the Sebastopol Vikings, the Southern Mounties, and the Mount Clear Cricket Club have been “hamstrung by outdated facilities” in the past.

“They deserve appropriate facilities they can be proud of,” she said, nothing St Georges Reserve has been one of these “wonderful collaborations” between the State and the City.

“We contributed $250,000 of the $1.673 million project from our World Game Facilities Fund for installation of the lights, irrigation and drainage, and the council did all the work,” Ms Settle said.

“Soccer’s a growing sport, so it’s important players have the facilities they need, especially after a year like no other where we’re all looking forward to getting back out on the pitch.”

Cr Des Hudson said the redevelopment has also been a “significant” passion project for home team, Sebastopol Vikings Football Club.

“This will really strengthen their position in the local Ballarat and District Soccer Association competition, their state league teams, and participation, especially amongst female players,” he said.

“This is the benchmark. The ground will add real capacity to the sport across the city.”

Ballarat and District Soccer Association president Herman Bogers said St Georges Reserve is a sign of soccer’s positive trajectory in the city.

“This is one of the first grounds to have this sort of development and other clubs are going down the same path, so it’s good for the clubs’ training quality and the promotion of the game,” he said.

“It’s an unbelievable ground. We never had anything like this when we used to play. They were paddocks in comparison.

“The players are very fortunate. It’s all about them and the enjoyment of sport.”

The Vikings were set to play their first game of the season on-site in March, but this was cancelled due to COVID-19.