By Renee Wood
The Queens Park sporting facilities are in dire need of upgrades with amenities that the user clubs call ‘derelict’.
There is a lack of female toilets, broken tiles, privacy issues with no doors, male toilets no longer fit for purpose with areas in need of repair.
The building has visible termite damage and rodents are known to be an issue.
Queens Park is home to Healesville AusKick, Healesville Junior Football Club and Healesville Cricket Club.
Healesville Junior Football Club president Zach Coleman said another issue is the exit area for the away team which can be heavily affected by wet weather and poor drainage.
The facilities are also seen as a barrier in growing participation – particularly for females.
Healesville Cricket Club secretary Jo Drummond said the club would like to build a strategy for girls and womens teams but the facilities aren’t up to scratch to achieve this.
“At the moment, trying to encourage a female team into our club is actually prohibitive because of the facilities that we have. So we are aware of the fact that we don’t have adequate change rooms here,” Ms Drummond said.
Eildon MP and Liberal candidate Cindy McLeish said the poor condition of the infrastructure has played on her mind and has announced a Liberal elected government would do something about it.
The Liberals have made a commitment to provide $2 million for a package that would see upgrades to the Queens Park facilities and work on the Queens Park and Don Road complex masterplans.
“These developments will make such a positive difference for club players and the Healesville community,” Ms McLeish said.
“Sporting teams at Queens Park are currently using really ordinary facilities, with change rooms that are well below standard. This redevelopment will improve the game experience for members and away teams for years to come.
“The council and community know there needs to be significant work done at Don Road Sporting Complex to accommodate the increasing Healesville population and growing sports teams and are eager to get the ball rolling.”
The funding will deliver high priority upgrades to build new home and visitor changerooms and toilets, remove termite damaged areas.
It would further include funds to deliver a broader master planning for the complexes heading towards the first steps of major redevelopment master plan.
Mr Coleman said upgrades are welcomed.
“We’ve got 250 odd kids playing footy and it’s growing constantly. So having facilities that are not destitute will be fantastic,” he said.
Labor candidate Jane Judd said unfunded promises gives wonderful and worthy community groups false hope that what they need might be delivered.
“A “promise” that is not costed nor approved by the relevant and responsible Department is without merit and I am sure the residents will see it for what it is,” Ms Judd said.
“If elected as the member for Eildon, I will have a seat at the Andrew’s Government table and I will argue forcefully for the electorate and any allocation of funds will be after a comprehensive and objective needs based assessment.”
