Sport
9 September, 2023
Hockey gets $1 million upgrade
WARRNAMBOOL is set to get a national-standard hockey pitch after the city council this week approved an $800,000 grant towards the project.
Hockey South West president Paul Dillon said he was “absolutely thrilled” with the allocation which will see the current, 17-year-old pitch replaced with a national-standard one – just one level below what is used for the Olympic Games.
“The council money, together with the $200,000 we have raised, will finally see this much-needed project come to fruition,” Dillon said. “The actual tender amounted to just over $768,000 so any money leftover will go back into council coffers; but we’re actually hoping some of that can be used for improvements around the new pitch.”
Dillon is confident the new pitch will enable Warrnambool to attract high level competitions including the Victorian premier league and even Hockey One national league matches.
“Once the new pitch is complete, we’ll be aiming to attract and host those high level games which will be great for the community and great for the sport at a local level,” Dillon said.
Dillon said he was excited that Polytan had been allocated the tender as the company was responsible for the installation of 11 pitches used in various Olympic Games, including the one in Paris for 2024.
“Ours won’t be exactly the same as the Paris pitch but to my knowledge it will be just one level down; so certainly very close to it.
“We will hand over access to the facility from next Monday and it’s anticipated the project will be complete by February 13.”
The completion date allowed for a break in work over the Christmas period.
Dillon paid credit to the work of not only the current committee at South West Hockey but also those in previous years who had worked hard, raised and saved money for the new pitch.
He also thanked the various philanthropic trusts who had been approached and contributed towards the cost of the new pitch.
“Thankfully we were successful in our approach to several philanthropic trusts in our region over the last 12 months and we are very grateful for their support and contributions,” Dillon said. “This is a council asset so it’s also pleasing to see council approve financial support. While we have raised the money needed for the new pitch our work is far from over; we still need to keep raising money for ongoing operational costs such as equipment, uniforms, lease payments that type of thing.”
Dillon said while the current pitch had “held up well” it was only a matter of time before it began to deteriorate.
“And that deterioration could be quite rapid once it started so it’s pleasing to see the current pitch will be replaced now, rather than down the track when it could become dangerous and not playable.”
The hockey pitch is currently being used up to four times a week for training and games, as well as for school clinics and tournaments at various times.
“Hockey is a sport that is certainly growing in our district, which is pleasing, and to have a new pitch of such a high standard will only continue to attract even more interest,” Dillon said.
This year Hockey South West has around 370 members which includes almost 300 players of various ages.
“It’s certainly a well-used facility. Our junior numbers have grown 58 per cent this year compared to last, which is tracking in the right direction, and I’m confident the new pitch will create even further excitement.”
To date, more than 100 school clinics have been held at the facility this year, along with several interschool carnivals for School Sports Victoria.
And close to 2000 students have visited the centre in 2023.
“Our hockey centre is right next to the Reid Oval and the new pitch will complement the standard already set in the sporting precinct. It’s something the entire community can be proud of.”
