By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
CASEY council will seek access to Police Paddocks Reserve in Endeavour Hills to solve a soccer ground shortage in the municipality’s north.
The council resolved on 3 May to write to Parks Victoria to either extend Sydney Pargeter Reserve into the paddocks or use other parts of the paddocks.
It is believed Greater Dandenong Council has already made a similar request.
Councillor Rafal Kaplon said he knew of Casey soccer clubs such as Berwick City, Casey Panthers, Endeavour Sporting and Endeavour United knocking back up to 100 players due to a scarcity of pitches.
“We all recognise that demand in Endeavour Hills and Narre Warren North for soccer is huge.
“Developing the pitches is an expensive undertaking and the first thing is getting the land.”
The necessary extra land could be found by striking a lease or another arrangement with Parks Victoria.
Parts of the closed Endeavour Hills Secondary College site have already been promised by the State Government for soccer purposes, Cr Kaplon said.
The council will consider tipping in $415,000 towards a synthetic soccer pitch at Gleneagles Secondary College.
As an alternative, Casey will also request the State Government increase its $1 million contribution to cover the $415,000 shortfall.
The synthetic pitch could host up to 60 hours of soccer a week, compared to 20 hours a week for natural turf.
Cr Kaplon said there was a united resolve among fellow ward councillor Rosalie Crestani and state MPs Luke Donnellan and Gabrielle Williams to come up with a soccer solution.
The council also copied in Ms Williams to its Parks Victoria request.
