Sports clubs based at John Connell Reserve are dreaming that this year’s Federal election battle finally delivers the money they desire to get on with a job they say has been 30 years in the making.
“If we can extend the field out it means that we can have two cricket ovals for the community to use and four soccer fields instead of two, it’s a no-brainer really,” Leeming Spartan Cricket Club president Peter Coombs said.
“We’ve been at this location since 1993 and it’s been a council battle since then for the strip of land behind us.
“The City is saying to us, raise the money, and if the councillors approve it then we can build it ourselves. They’ve cost it out to $2.8 million to $3.4 million, but we have cost it out to $200,000.”
Labor’s hope for the southern suburbs federal seat of Tangney Sam Lim made the Leeming reserve the focus of his first local election pledge, promising $650,000 towards a second cricket field.
Long-standing Liberal representative Ben Morton also visited this year to pledge his ongoing support after he secured Federal money for other works at the Leeming Sporting Association facility.
“Together we’ve secured sprinkler systems for the Leeming Bowling Club’s synthetic greens, new audio-visual equipment for the Leeming Spartan Cricket Club and replaced unsafe and old chairs with brand new chairs and stools in the clubrooms,” Mr Morton said.
“I am supporting the Leeming Spartan Cricket Club towards its plans to construct a brand-new playing field at John Connell Reserve with funding to relocate practice cricket nets as part of the development.
“I will continue to work closely with the club with this development project and consider its merits.”
Mr Coombs said this week’s Labor pledge, which comes on the back of a commitment State Labor candidates made last year for $625,000 towards an upgrade of the change room and cricket nets, would provide enough money to complete the entire John Connell Reserve development.
Mr Lim said having an extra playing field would make a significant difference to the local community.
“I am a big supporter of community sport. Participation in community sport doesn’t just contribute to physical wellness, it creates strong social bonds, improves mental health and builds stronger communities,” Mr Lim said.
“An extra playing ground at John Connell Reserve will ensure our community can access the sporting facilities we deserve, well into the future.”
City of Melville mayor George Gear said he welcomed any contribution to assist with the costs of upgrading John Connell Reserve.
“Should future funding become available, the City would welcome such a contribution to this key community project in our south eastern area of the City,” said Mayor Gear.
In April, the City is planning to call for public tenders for a consultant team with the community to develop the John Connell Reserve Master Plan. Mr Gear said the planning process is expected to take around 18 months and will investigate whether there is a need for an additional playing field and various options for locating these fields within the reserve site.
Labor makes $650,000 local election pledge to John Connell Reserve - PerthNow
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