By Bridget Brady
A STATE of the art athletics complex is part of Casey council’s $10.6 million dollar development plan for Casey Fields.
The regional athletics facility in Cranbourne would include an eight-lane synthetic track, lighting for night competitions and a pavilion to seat 840 people. Service roads for buses and additional parking would also be built.
The council submitted the application on 6 March as part of the Federal Government’s infrastructure program for councils. Casey is seeking $8.9 million in Federal Government funding.
The application required councils to have a project “shovel ready”. If given the go-ahead, the council said developments at Casey Fields would start within six months.
Every school in the municipality would be able to hold their sports carnivals at the complex, Casey’s director of planning and development services Peter Fitchett said.
“One hundred and ten athletics carnivals could run there a year. It would virtually cater for every school in Casey.”
He said the athletics facility met the needs of Casey’s growing population.
The plan would also include a $1.25 million playground that would include life-size board games, an interactive sound sculpture, a flying fox and barbecue areas.
“This is a playground of real significance … notable across metropolitan Melbourne.”
Mayor Geoff Ablett said the complex catered for the increased interest of athletics in the area, growing at a rate of 12.5 per cent each year.
“There is nothing like this in the area,” he said. Cr Ablett said the complex would keep young athletes in Casey who often left the municipality to continue training after junior years, and give them the opportunity to “go to the top”.
Shade structures for spectators would be built at four of the existing ovals as partof the plan, as well as more trees andgarden beds. The council said it was confident with its application, and would find out if it was successful within the next few weeks.
”We think it is a strong application. We’re ready to hit the ground running,” Mr Fitchett said.
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