Local paper article
From the Moreland Community News (24th Aug 2004)
Battle goes to time on
by Dinah Arndt.
AFTER being dogged by dirty politics, the battle between
the Coburg Cricket and Football clubs over their home
ground may reach an amicable, though temporary, solution.
The issue blew up in July after the football club said the
only way to save itself from financial ruin was to make
Coburg City Oval a football only venue - effectively
kicking the cricket club off the ground.
A redevelopment of the oval (necessary after a fire ruined
the grandstand in March) provided this opportunity.
Over the past two months both sides have been intensely
lobbying Moreland Council to support their club. Allegations
about the behaviour of some club officials and councillors
were made made (sic) and the oval was vandalised.
(see: http://puntroadend.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=8668.0)
However, at the time Community News went to print, it was
likely the tense relationship between the two clubs - who
have shared the oval for 80 years - would reach a temporary
stalemate.
Both sides expressed support for council recommendations that
were expected to be adopted yesterday.
Council staff have recommended that Moreland: start designing
a new grandstand; establish a working party to investigate
ground allocation and funding; go ahead with minor
redevelopment works; and waive the football clubs fees for
two financial years.
Football club president Dean Mighell described it as "a very
good proposal".
Cricket Club president Shayne Rule said he hoped it would
"take the heat out of the situation", so that a level-headed
decision could be ade at a later date.
They were also due to sign a memorandum of understanding
at the council yesterday afternoon.
However, the decision about who will get the ground is
effectively being deferred to the new Moreland Council
to be elected in November.
It is clear that whatever the final decision, no one will
walk away from the process completely happy.
All parties have expressed disappointment about the dirty
politics which have plagued the process.
As one councillor put it: "This has left a very bad taste
in my mouth."
Last week, Community News reported Cr Steve Roach had
attempted to secure Sewell Reserve as an alternative ground
for the Coburg Cricket Club.
This would mean the Broadmeadows Cricket Club would need to
share the ground, amalgamate or relocate.
BCC persident Bruce Gardner said the most palatable of
those options would be to relocate to a ground in Hume.
However, he added: "if this was an option, on a scale of
10 it'd be a three, but there isn't an option."
Cricket Victoria rejected the notion it had been unhelpful
in trying to find a solution with Cr Roach.
CV regional manager Gary Sanders said the CEO was unavailable
to attend a meeting at such short notice.
"We're doing everything possible from Cricket Victoria's
point of view."
Mr Rule said the Glenroy ground was not a suitable option.
Cr Roach admitted there were "a lot of ifs" to this proposal,
but added he was the only councillor examining all the
options.
* Cr Steve Roach tried to organise a meeting with Cricket
Victoria officials, not Coburg Cricket Association
officials, as was printed last week.