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Vol. 17 No. 46
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Wednesday, May 27, 2015
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Council push for stadium BY DEAN LAWSON
C
ommunity leaders have made the most of a visit from Victorian Sports Minister John Eren to emphasise a need for a multi-use indoor sport and community stadium in Horsham.
Horsham officials pointed out the deficiency while taking Mr Eren on a tour of the municipality’s growing and diverse sport and recreation projects. The tour included a visit to Horsham Showground’s Maydale Pavilion, a large agricultural shed but also the long-time and arguably inappropriate home to a regional table tennis competition. Mr Eren visited Horsham to announce the region’s successful bid to host 2018 world junior motocross titles. Horsham Mayor Mark Radford said the tour also included the site for a new sports pavilion at Coughlin Park, the progress of playing-field developments at Horsham Racecourse and Horsham Community Oval, including the relocation of a Rosebrook building, Horsham City Oval and Horsham Aquatic Centre where the council discussed refurbishment of an outdoor pool.
“The truth is our community has done pretty well in the past 10 years in securing funding for major sporting projects. But we wanted to make the most of Mr Eren’s visit to show him why a multi-purpose indoor centre, as part of the council’s sport and recreation strategy, is a major priority,” Cr Radford said. Horsham indoor sporting groups have long lobbied for a multi-use indoor sports centre and the project, at a site the council has yet to determine, is the next major sporting infrastructure project on the city’s wish list.
City Oval
Council chief executive Peter Brown said discussions with Mr Eren also involved the next stage of a Horsham City Oval master plan that would determine what happened at the recreation reserve in the next 20 years. “With the acquisition of the former Horsham ambulance station and Horsham United clubrooms, the council now owns that whole parcel of land. There are matters to consider such as developments already identified, for example widening the oval, improving
spectator facilities, updating the scoreboard, netball courts and change-room facilities and providing a modern home for two band groups,” he said. “Of course while we consider these large projects, there are many smaller but equally as important projects across Horsham district that are either planned or underway.” An example of smaller projects include the installation of lighting for Taylors Lake netballers at Dock Lake Reserve and Horsham Pistol Club. Mr Brown agreed that State Government funding remained the critical building block for most projects to go ahead. A major project to increase storm-water collection potential at Horsham racecourse is complete and new soccer pitches at the reserve will be ready for play next year. Horsham City Oval facilities will also undergo a significant face-lift in the new financial year. Mr Brown said officials also showed Mr Eren the Cornell Park site of the council’s proposed Children’s Hub, the council’s priority community infrastructure project, and how it would work with existing facilities and services.
SOARING: Wimmera Football League and Ararat star forward Beau Cosson climbs for a spectacular high mark during an exciting and high-standard interleague clash against Bellarine League. Cosson had an outstanding country championships game for the Big W, kicking five-goals in a high-scoring goal-for-goal thriller at Horsham City Oval. Details, see page 51. Picture: WILLAMY IMAGES
IN THIS ISSUE • Gymnast wins national medals • Art Is... Festival to start • Anti-mine group fight on Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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