Soccer scores

By Tania Martin
MOUNT Evelyn’s rising soccer stars will soon no longer be ‘embarrassed’ by their home ground following a Federal Government cash splash.
The ground at Morrison Reserve is set to be rejuvenated with the help of a $120,000 boost as round two of the Government’s stimulus money finally reached Yarra Ranges Council.
Billanook Ward’s Tim Heenan said for years the condition of the ground had been an embarrassment to the club.
The town’s library has also been a big winner in the spending splurge, with $150,000 allocated for a heating and cooling system and for the refurbishment of community facilities.
Mayor Len Cox said the council had recently received the go-ahead for the project.
“We are delighted the Government has approved our nominated projects,” he said.
“They will provide a fantastic boost to our local community and our environment, with several focusing on water conservation.”
The council received the fourth highest bag of money in the state in the latest round, following a $1.74 million injection in round one of the stimulus cash splash.
Cr Heenan said the cash for the reserve would go a long way towards improving the soccer ground.
The cash will go towards installing a bore, pump, treatment and irrigation systems at the soccer oval.
Cr Heenan said the grounds were normally like concrete at the beginning of the season.
“There is no drainage or irrigation at the ground and it’s been on the cards for 20 odd years,” he said.
Cr Heenan said the hard ground had led to numerous injuries over the years.
He said it was also an embarrassment to both the club and the players when hosting home games. “Unfortunately we have been a bit of a laughing stock in the competition when clubs from the suburbs such as Box Hill come to Mount Evelyn to play,” Cr Heenan said.
“They think it (the ground) is a joke … they think it’s disgusting and we have been using it for over 20 years and have been thinking the same thing.”
This latest money comes after new lights were installed more than four weeks ago.
The six-year project was made possible with $95,000 from the council and further funds contributed by the club.
Cr Heenan said the lighting now enabled the club to be down there most nights training.
He said prior to the lights being installed, training was only taken on one part of the pitch because of the lack of lighting.
He hopes work will start at Morrison Reserve within the next two months.
Cr Heenan said it was a great step forward for the club.
The Mail contacted the club but was unable to get a comment before going to print.
Meanwhile, Mount Evelyn’s library will soon be able to keep the temperature under control in both winter and summer.
A new heating and cooling unit is at the top of the shopping list for the library.
Eastern Regional Libraries spokeswoman Lorraine Seeger said it was great news as air-conditioning had been a problem for a long time.
“It’s a very old system … the upgrade will make it comfortable for all the users,” she said.
Cr Heenan said he recalled many winter meetings held at the library that had left residents shivering.
“You would be frozen some nights with heavy coats … there has never been a proper heating and cooling system.
“People will be eternally grateful for the new system.”