Cricket centre proposal enters second innings

By Jim Mynard
THE proponent for a proposed indoor cricket centre at the Casey Indoor Leisure Complex, in Cranbourne has been asked to represent his plan to the council.
The proposal is to develop the centre on a onehectare site that would be provided by the City of Casey on a token rent over 20 years.
The proponent, Anthony Ciconte, said in his business plan that the centre would be a first class indoor training venue.
Casey director of planning and development Paul Bawden said in a report to the Tuesday, 6 September council meeting that the facility would revert to the council at the end of the lease term.
“In lieu of rent, Mr Ciconte proposes to support clubs with a total of up to $10,000 a year.”
The officer report recommended that the council decline the offer, but Araluen Ward councillor Rob Wilson said the facility would be state of the art and a great step forward for the City of Casey.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said he would support the plan, but Casey mayor Neil Lucas said as it was presented it was a debacle.
Cr Lucas said to accept the offer was accepting a $1.8 million plan that did not explain how it would be funded.
“We would have stars in our eyes if we accepted this with no plan to fund it.
“We would be getting into a situation on council land, but who is going to meet the capital cost?
“If we go ahead with this I want a proper proposal because this is a debacle.”
Springfield Ward councillor Ben Clissold said the concept was fantastic, but full of holes.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said he also supported the concept, but moved that the proponent be given the opportunity to respond to the council concerns. Cr Smith said it would be dangerous for the council to accept the proposal against the officers’ recommendation.
“This is a big project, but if he is solid he will know the answers.”
Cr Lucas said, “This facility could be fantastic for cricket, but it is a matter of getting it right.”
The council will also consider the possibility of an alternative site for the centre.