Turf wicket go-ahead for Lethbridge cricketers

THE Lethbridge Cricket Club has a new total to chase – and it’s not on the scoreboard.

The total is a sum of money – $100,000 – which is the estimated cost of installing a turf wicket at its Lethbridge Recreation Reserve headquarters.

That factor is now in play because the Golden Plains Shire has given landowner approval for the club to press on with its long-held desire of playing on a turf wicket.

But even though approval has been given and the money has to be raised, there is a downside.

Results from the most recent season meant the club earnt the right to be promoted from the Geelong Cricket Association (GCA) Division 3 to Division 2, but GCA rules require all Division 2 clubs to have a turf wicket.

So Lethbridge is staying at Div 3 for now.

But despite the mix of good and bad news, club president Damien Harwood is happy that a turf wicket is a major step closer.

The shire approval – which he described as “one of the most sought-after documents you can get” for sporting clubs’ development – means the club can proceed with planning for the actual installation.

“It’s been a long process; it’s taken a number of years,” he said.

Harwood said the process of installing a turf wicket block could be completed in as little as four weeks.

“The project will cost approximately $100,000,” he said, adding that a major portion of that amount would be self-funded and external fundraising options would be explored.

“We have a number of ideas, but the cricket season’s finished so it’s time to have a rest, come back with fresh minds in about a month and work on those exact strategies.

“Our ultimate goal would be to start construction in March next year and to have it ready for the following cricket season.”

The pitch will be installed on Oval 2 instead of Oval 1, which cannot be widened further because of clubhouse buildings on either side, but Oval 2 itself has just received some upgrades to make it ready.

The club has three men’s, two women’s and three junior teams competing in the GCA, and Harwood said it was growing quickly alongside the township.

“We believe we’re going to have four men’s teams next year, there’s been that much interest,” he said.

“We’ve had a number of people showing great interest in joining us. Obviously the town’s growing a bit as well.

“Seven years ago, eight years ago, we were not in the best place; the club was declining.

“But as a group we’ve turned it around and the club is growing every year.”

A shire spokesperson said the council was supportive of the turf wicket project going ahead.

“However, as the project is still in its early planning stages, council will continue to work with the club as it seeks to determine and action all requirements related to turf installation and its ongoing management and maintenance,” the spokesperson said.