On track for cash- Lilydale and Yarra Ranges Little Athletics Centre members celebrate cash for a track overhaul with Yarra Ranges mayor Len Cox, Monbulk MP James Merlino, Billanook Ward councillor T

By Casey Neill
YARRA Ranges could soon become a breeding ground for star athletes, with a 20-plus year wait for new facilities in Mount Evelyn almost over.
Monbulk MP and Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino last week announced a $400,000 State Government cash boost for a Morrison Reserve Regional Athletics Facility upgrade.
Yarra Ranges Council has committed $2 million to the project, which includes a 400-metre synthetic athletics track, multipurpose pavilion, fencing and car park, soccer pitch improvements and lighting.
Lilydale and Yarra Ranges Little Athletics Centre (LYRLAC) treasurer Darren Ford said the facility would also be a great asset to other sporting, school and community groups.
“Nowhere else in the shire is there a facility like we have here,” he said.
“We are hopeful of a world-class athletics facility.”
Mr Ford said the current track condition was “pretty poor”.
“And we’re at the mercy of the weather. At times the track conditions are unsafe and quite often we do have to disappoint children by cancelling our competition,” he said.
“An all-weather facility will mean that our members can complete a full season of competition and prepare fully for the regional and state championships.”
The club’s 250 athletes will no longer have to waste training time travelling to other venues when the Old Hereford Road track is out of action.
“And with a better track we’ll be able to gain more athletes. We’ll be able to retain good athletes that tend to change and move to other clubs because they’ve got better facilities.”
The athletics club also hopes the upgrade will help them establish a senior athletics club.
Mr Merlino said track condition had been an issue for decades.
“The great advantage of the new synthetic track surface is it will be more durable, easy to maintain, won’t require watering, is quick to dry after rain and will provide more cushioning, meaning fewer injuries for developing athletes,” he said.
“Athletics is really the DNA of every other sport.”
“Local sports clubs and associations play an integral role in ensuring communities are strong, happy, healthy and active.”
Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan said the upgrade would make it easier and cheaper for schools to hold regional sporting events and bring the community together each weekend.
“We want the families to be out there together,” he said.
“It’s a positive social, environmental and physical thing.”
Cr Heenan said the council would need about $3 million from the Federal Government to finish the final stages of the project, which would include car park and entry refurbishment.
“I hope that they come forward in the next couple of years to complete the project,” he said.