Snooker Club wants to pocket home base

AFTER playing their weekly snooker competition on tables located in private homes for the past 42 years, the Ocean Grove Snooker Club (OGSC) needs a home base.

Members want to purchase snooker tables, lighting, associated equipment and TV honour boards to establish the club as a co-tenant of the Memorial Oval Reserve Pavilion, which is located at 75-77 Draper Street.

This would give them a home location for finals, inter-town and social events also allow for a meeting place for members.

The club could then open up its doors to the wider community to attract interest in the sport and seek to grow its membership.

OGSC made a submission to the state government’s community grants initiative Pick My Project, which has now progressed to the voting stage.

Secretary Gerry Sanderson said the club was now calling on locals to vote in support of “Creating a snooker club home to enhance social inclusion”.

“The club has been around privately for 41 years and is the strongest it has ever been,” Mr Sanderson said.

“The Ocean Grove population is 14,990 and forecast to grow to 17,545 by 2036 (+17 per cent), including a 31 per cent increase in retirement age, and a 16 per cent increase in working age. “This project strongly supports social inclusion, skill development and increased participation opportunities among older and working age adults.

“The project will also activate a facility that is not currently being utilised to its full potential.”

Mr Sanderson said the OGSC would advertise times that the facility would be open for the wider community to come and try snooker, pool or billiards, and run social competitions inviting everyone in the community to participate.

To vote, locals need to visit pickmyproject.vic.gov. au, register to vote and search for “Snooker Social Inclusion Project”.

Voting closes on Monday September 17 at 5pm.