Soccer club offside of upgrade plan

AN OCEAN Grove soccer club is concerned at a lack of concrete plans for its facilities in a new infrastructure strategy that will soon go before Geelong council.

City of Greater Geelong is finalising its Ocean Grove Sporting Infrastructure Plan, which outlines upgrades of six sporting precincts in the region to cater for ongoing population growth.

A draft plan endorsed in May suggests shifting Surfside Waves Soccer Club from its current home at Shell Road Reserve to a purpose-built home at Devlins Road Reserve in the town’s north.

COGG’s plan for Devlins Road outlines a vision for a new pavilion, including change rooms, female-friendly facilities and social rooms, plus two new soccer pitches complete with lights and provision of a future third pitch for juniors.

But the draft OGSIP doesn’t include a detailed masterplan for the reserve, as it does for Shell Road, Collendina and Wallington reserves.

Surfside Waves called out to its members earlier this month to have their say on the plan and lobby for iron-clad council commitments for its new precinct.

Club president Mike Sutton said while it had positive discussions with COGG regarding a future move, it was hesitant to back the plan without the development of a detailed strategy for its new home.

“There’s no masterplan, no guarantees, no signed agreement about what it would look like if we were to move,” Mr Sutton said.

“Although there’s a lot of talk, when it comes to the absolute black and white of it, they can’t guarantee us anything.

“The plan will go to council, and the masterplan that’s being endorsed assumes we’re not there.”

“We can’t endorse something that would potentially see us without a home.”

COGG has indicated the soccer club would be involved in consultation for a future master plan for Devlins Road.

The OGSIP closed for feedback on Sunday.

COGG will prepare a report on feedback received during the process as part of its consideration of the final plan for council endorsement.