Reserve keeps getting better

By Lachlan Ellis

New cricket and football facilities were officially opened last Tuesday, thanks to more than a quarter of a million dollars invested by the State Government, Council, and Cricket Victoria.

Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Munari joined Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, Cr Moira Berry, and members of the Ballan Cricket Club, Ballan Recreation Reserve Committee of Management, and AFL Central Goldfields last week, to celebrate the $266,000 project’s completion.

The project includes three cricket lanes (two club lanes and a public lane) with fully enclosed nets and the installation of football safety nets behind the north end goals, to stop footballs going on the road and into neighbouring properties.

“This is a great addition to Ballan Recreation Reserve, which is still celebrating the opening of their $4 million new pavilion,” Cr Munari said.

“The cricket and football clubs, other users and the public had less than ideal facilities here for so long, so it’s so exciting for everyone to have access to these modern, purpose-built facilities.

“We thank the Victorian Government for their investment in the Ballan community with the makeover to Ballan Rec Reserve,” she said.

Cricket Club President, David Leach, said the future was looking bright.

“It gives us a safe environment for the juniors. In the past we’ve run the risk of kids getting hit by stray balls, now that it’s a fully enclosed cage we can train them in a lot more safety. Plus obviously having three nets is great, they’re top-class, what we had before was a bit ratty,” he told the Moorabool News.

“We’re buoyant, we realise we’ve got probably the best conditions in the competition at the moment, and we’re trying to utilise everything we can. We’ve got two Under 11 sides and 18 Junior Blasters (ages 4 to 7) have signed up to come on board the end of this month, which is fantastic. The future of the club, we’re hoping, is looking good.”

Mr Leach also gave a big thank you to Council, Michaela Settle, and Cricket Victoria for “stumping up the money” – which he joked was an unintended pun.

Funding for the cricket nets came from Sports and Recreation Victoria ($94,740), Council ($94,749) and Cricket Victoria ($30,000).

The football safety nets were funded by Sports and Recreation Victoria ($21,275) and Council ($21,275).