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Vol. 17 No. 25
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Wednesday, December 17, 2014
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Racecourse Carols in the primed for Grampians overhaul BY DEAN LAWSON
A
$100,000 soccer-pitch project is spearheading major redevelopment in Horsham Racecourse’s Central Park sporting precinct.
The soccer project, originally earmarked for Horsham Showground, has become part of an overall Central Park Master Plan designed to capitalise on the racecourse reserve’s expanses and assets. The racecourse development also includes a $134,000 project to expand a multi-purpose storm-water wetland storage, inside the reserve originally part of a Wimmera River anabranch, from about 30 to between 50 and 80 megalitres. Horsham Rural City Council recreation services manager Rob Moir said in-depth municipal investigation and assessment and subsequent approvals had led to shifting the soccer project from the showground to the racecourse. “The compatibility of soccer with equestrian events when creating and maintaining a playing surface was deemed far from ideal. There were also concerns about access across a greyhound running track,” he said. Horsham and District Soccer Club, based at Cornell Park and with a growing membership,
IN THIS ISSUE
won State Government funding for the development of two full-size pitches. Mr Moir said developing the pitches at the racecourse would also rekindle opportunities for other community field sports such as hockey and softball, which have had a traditional base at Central Park. “There is an enormous amount of pressure on Cornell Park, which has the highest scheduled use of any of our sporting reserves in the municipality,” Mr Moir said. “By providing alternative and appropriate venues for some of the user groups, it gives the remaining users opportunities to expand. “A recent Sport and Recreation Needs Analysis Report armed the council with a refreshed view of community needs and requirements. It identified development of the racecourse site and Horsham College oval. The key is to provide adequate facilities that promote, not hinder the growth of sport and recreation.” He said he expected the soccer pitches to be ready for play next season.
Beneficial
Mr Moir said expansion of water-storage capabilities at the racecourse would prove ‘significantly’ beneficial for Horsham overall as well as its
sporting reserves. “It means increasing the capability of capturing storm-water from a significant catchment, which includes Horsham CBD and much of an expanding Horsham West. It will not only supply recycled water for the racecourse and Horsham College, it will decrease our need for urban supply for parks and playing fields,” he said. “Increasing the availability of water to Horsham Racing Club is of primary benefit because it reduces the need and cost of urban supply in keeping track in suitable condition for racing and training. “Basically Horsham wins all round.” In other developments, a Horsham council-owned former Rosebrook Restaurant building is likely to find a new home at Horsham College Community Oval. The hospitality-training building was originally at Horsham Racecourse and is now at Horsham Golf Club. The community oval qualified ahead of other venues for the building and its management committee now has to prepare an appropriate project plan and business case to confirm the move. Mr Moir said upgrading the racecourse was part of an overall recreation development program.
St Patrick’s Primary School choir captain Hayley Little, 11, and Stawell Performing Arts Company’s Connor Williams, 14, prepare for Friday night’s Carols in the Grampians. Stawell district performers will warm-up an expected large crowd in the garden at Grampians Motel before the main event featuring Denis Walter and other high-profile guests. Story, page 7. Picture: CAITLIN MARTIN
• Police investigate suspicious fires • Pulses prove profitable • On set of The Dressmaker
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