Above: The lone resting spot, one seat reserved for the drinks runner, is the envy of many weary spectators. By Glen Atwell
WEARY-kneed spectators watching sport on the outer ovals of Casey Fields have been told not to expect a seat any time soon.
The News recently reported 12 June public concerns about the lack of seating and facilities around the four outer grounds at Casey Fields, Cranbourne’s state-of-the-art sporting complex.
A junior football league president, local umpires and spectators were unanimous in their disappointment with facilities around the complex’s outer grounds.
But the Casey Fields Steering Committee has declared the lack of seats around the outer ovals as “not of high priority”, according to a council media statement.
City of Casey director of planning and development services Peter Fitchett said funding had been provided to improve spectator facilities on the outer wing of the Victorian Football League (VFL) oval, but not the other grounds.
“In response to a proposal from the Casey Scorpions, funding has been provided by the State Government, AFL Victoria and council for the provision of improved spectator facilities on the outer wing of the VFL oval at Casey Fields,” he said.
“Council is working with the Casey Fields Steering Committee to undertake a review of the master plan.
“The issue of shelters and seating around other grounds has not been raised as a high priority by that group at this point in time,” Mr Fitchett said.
Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League (MPJFL) president Brian Horan told the News earlier this month that his league had several issues with the Casey Fields complex.
“There’s not enough parking – there is no parking around the ground and no seats for spectators,” he said.
“We’ve spoken with the council before about these issues when they were developing Casey Fields. Most of those issues were addressed, but not these.”
MPJFL secretary Jenny Bain said the lack of spectator facilities was a decisive factor in the Devon Meadows Junior Football Club, which is based at Casey Fields, being denied the right to host the league’s final series this year.
“The main stadium is a great facility, but the outer fields are disappointing,” she said.
“Devon Meadows wanted the finals here, but how can you host finals when you have families with babies and elderly people?
“What would happen if it rained? There’s no shelter and people can’t park around the ground to watch the game.
“If you don’t have parking around the ground for junior football, people won’t come because you can’t sit in the car,” Ms Bain said.
Mr Fitchett said the complex had been designed as an “urban recreation facility” and designated car parking was provided.
“Car parking is provided for in designated areas rather than around the perimeter of ovals in the perhaps more familiar country-ground style,” he said.
