THE boss of Sunraysia cricket has thrown shade at Mildura Council over the absence of permanent undercover seating around the main oval at the city’s new $44 million sporting precinct.
Mick Thomson said none of Sunraysia Cricket Association’s (SCA) clubs had yet to ink a deal to play out of the new Mildura South venue – which is on the cusp of opening – as it plays a “waiting game”.
“We’re just sitting back to see what happens with it,” the SCA president said this week.
“From what we know, there have been (SCA) clubs that have approached the council about relocating out there. But there has been no commitment yet.”
He said one of the biggest concerns for local cricket was no grandstand and spectator-friendly outdoor facilities ahead of play starting at the ground in the 2022-23 season.
“I can’t see any club rushing out there without any shade or undercover seating for supporters,” he said.
“It’ll be hard enough for football during winter. But with the extreme temperatures here in summer, no-one will want to go out there.”
There is also no plan yet for a scoreboard at the main oval.
Mr Thomson’s comments come after the South Mildura Sporting Club expressed similar concerns last month about the outdoor seating issue, as well as no provision for car parking around the ground.
The council’s top brass met with Bulldogs president Kevin Burke just days after Sunraysia Daily broke the story of his club’s frustrations of “not being listened to” in the planning process.
After the meeting, Mayor Jason Modica said the council’s project team had considered every issue raised by sporting groups during development of the facility.
“We are now shaping the final details of what is possible with stage 2 and how this will address those key concerns,” he said in a statement.
“It was clear very early on, given the ($34 million) funding available, that stage 1 would focus on ensuring the core elements of the precinct were completed – the indoor stadium the numerous user groups will call home, and the premier oval.
“With planning for stage 2 well under way, we are now looking at the other components of the precinct.
“This is something we’ll continue doing with all user groups as we embark on the next stage of this exciting venue.”
Mr Thomson said he was also concerned about the absence of another basic element for cricket.
“There are no storage areas there yet for the curator’s equipment,” he said.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done before one of our clubs moves out there.
“I think that probably, like every other club or sporting organisation, value for money out there leaves a lot to be desired.”
