Green light for sports reserve

PLANS for Cairns Road Recreation Reserve to become a state-of-the art sporting facility have been supported by Casey Council.
The Hampton Park reserve, which is home to four different sporting clubs and a school, has been in dire need of upgraded facilities.
On Tuesday night, the council agreed to include the project in the five year capital works program. Councillors unanimously agreed to put forward funds to commence the project but said it must also rely on state and federal funding.
Grounds committee president Erica Maliki said the council move is one giant step forward for the community.
“It’s not only a victory for sports groups, but it is also a victory for Hampton Park. We are a great community to live in and we have missed out on so many things,” she said.
“We just have to keep working with council to develop a master-plan, and try to receive more funding from elsewhere.”
Ms Maliki said the reserve’s facilities were below-par and she hoped funding would allow for a variety of necessary upgrades, including a second oval, athletics area, grass or synthetic track, improved clubrooms, better toilet facilities and a performing arts centre in front of the adjoining school, Hampton Park Secondary College.
Ms Maliki said if further funding was received and the project completed, young residents would benefit immensely.
“I would love to be able to run after school programs, and what better way to get kids off the street, give them some responsibility, and boost their self esteem,” she said.
Michael Thomas, who is the under-10s’ footy coach, Friday night cricket coach, sponsorship manager and general committee member, said a new facility would be a giant boost for the community’s athletics program.
“A new facility would attract more kids to the footy and cricket,” he said. “Hampton Park is growing, and a new facility would mean massive growth for the footy clubs and cricket club.”
Ms Maliki said she felt confident that the committee would receive additional funding.
“We have fought so hard for this, and we have been writing letters to everyone from the Prime Minster down explaining the need for better facilities,” she said.
“I am so pleased that Cr Lynette Keleher and the coun-cil have supported us. It was a great boost for our self-esteem that they are willing to fight for us.”