Field of dreams a reality

By Shaun Inguanzo
THE State Government and Greater Dandenong Council are pumping a combined $600,000 into a new hybrid synthetic surface at Mills Reserve.
The surface will be drought-proof as it requires no watering and will cater for the needs of the Dandenong Hockey Club and multiple community based soccer clubs.
City of Greater Dandenong mayor John Kelly welcomed the announcement by Sports Minister James Merlino that the State Government would match dollar-for-dollar the City of Greater Dandenong’s $300,000 contribution.
The City of Greater Dandenong’s community services director June Dugina said the State Government funding was made available through the Recreation Victoria Drought Relief Synthetic Surfaces Program.
“Mills Reserve is home to the Greater Dandenong Hockey Club,” she said.
“This club is the result of the amalgamation of Dandenong Hockey Club and Springvale Noble Park Hockey Club.
“The reserve is also used by the Afghan Australia Community Social Sports Club for soccer and for weekly training sessions for the Big Issue’s Street Soccer program.”
Ms Dugina said the project would involve the resurfacing of the existing hockey pitch to a hybrid synthetic surface, which is suitable for hockey and soccer use.
“The pitch is expected to last for more than 10 years,” she said.
She said the project must be completed by 31 May 2010 with preliminary planning to begin in September 2008.
Greater Dandenong mayor John Kelly thanked the State Government for its contribution and said the existing pitch had seen 16 years of action.
“The new hybrid pitch gives the opportunity for more than one sporting club to use the facility,” he said.
“It’s also about a sustainable environment in that we don’t have to go out and start pouring water on it.”