New pitches get official kick off

THREE new soccer pitches at Wendouree West Recreation Reserve were officially handed over to Forest Rangers Football Club last week.

The playing surfaces are part of a multimillion-dollar overhaul of the rec reserve, and club secretary Marilyn Tyndall said they were already paying dividends on and off the field.

“This opportunity has helped our club enormously,” she said. “The number of players that we have got, we’ve probably got to an extra 30 or 40 players this year.

“Our club has been embedded in the community of Wendouree West for over 50 years, providing the opportunity for our local community members to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

Wendouree West Recreation Reserve was the site for the launch of local member Juliana Addison’s 2018 election campaign, and said the Forrest Rangers held a special place for her.

“This is a passion project for me,” she said. “Today’s about a realisation of something that I’m incredibly proud of, but what the Forrest Rangers have waited for for 40 years.

“Forrest Rangers are such a proud club that’s just got the most amazing heart.”

Costing $1.5 million, the works were funded by the State Government and completed by the City of Ballarat. They included turf, drainage works and new coaches’ boxes.

Upgrades at the rec reserve aren’t over yet, with a total of $7 million being spent at the site.

Further works include the construction of new club rooms, field lighting, the completion of a synthetic cricket pitch, revamped skate park and dirt bike jumps and new spaces for other community groups.

“This stage is one,” Ms Addison said. “There’s more good news with the new facilities that are on the way.

“A new female friendly pavilion for local football and cricket, as well as spaces for the Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre, the YMCA youth programs, and a community kitchen.”