What is happening to our home grounds for 2008/09?
There has been a number of questions asked about the Valentine Soccer Oval and the new “to be built” Marks Oval Ground at Floraville. I would like to take this time to inform all members where we are in relation to these facilities.
Valentine Eleebana Soccer Ground.
In 2007 after playing 4 senior seasons on this ground and watching the rapid deterioration of the facility Lake Macquarie Council was approached about renovating and re-surfacing the current pitch. Discussions continued in March of this year and again as late as July of this season. There were many things to consider including the following
How the pitch was going to be renovated given its poor condition. Consultation with various people concluded the following. A. a product like rebound ace as used on tennis courts was not appropriate nor was laying a concrete surface over the existing one.
The size of the existing pitch. The VESC pitch measures 1.8 meters wide which is a standard cricket pitch as used throughout Newcastle and NSW for that matter. The LMC consulted Cricket NSW and came up with the following conclusions. A The new pitch had to be wider at 2.2 meters instead of the standard 1.8 meters. B. a new pitch would have to be built on the existing ground.
In June this year prior to in-depth on ground discussions the LMC were informed by the VECC of the importance of having this project completed by no later than the end of September. In fact at that stage a trial game was proposed on the ground in late September. At this stage the LMC via its ground manager assured the VECC they were aware of the dates and the project would be completed prior to the commencement of the 2008/09 season.
The VESC President was informed of the project and gave the structure the clubs full support. Proposed dates were discussed and a date of early September was penciled in as a date of commencing the removal and re-building of the facility.
Between July and September no significant assistance from LMC despite multiple calls and emails from the VECC. Finally in late September following a number of frustrating conversations and emails the matter was escalated to the person in charge of all grounds at LMC. Contact was then made to the VECC informing them the VESC pitch was on the list of projects and a date in the future would be disclosed to the club to confirm the building of the pitch.
October arrives the junior and senior season start with no confirmed date again a number of phone calls and emails later and the VECC are informed the ground is on the “priority list”. Week one of the season passes. The following week the pitch is dug up we are now week 2 into the cricket season and almost 5 months after the original ground meeting.
The VESC pitch is built 2.2 meters wide and 26 meters in length (the standard pitch is 22 meters or if covering 20.1 meters stump to stump)
VECC had/has worked with the council and Newcastle Junior Association and the Newcastle C&S to form a partnership in the following.
LMC would build the pitch (estimated cost according to LMC $9000.00)
Both the senior and junior cricketing bodies would fund the surface (estimated cost for a standard pitch $1500.00).
The VECC would lay the surface of the wicket saving both parties $800.00
Due to the additional length built by LMC the surface cost has blown out an extra $600.00 taking it to over $2000.00 this does not include laying. The Newcastle Junior Association has offered to provide $1500.00 (with thanks) but the club is currently $600.00 short. The LMC feels the VECC or the cricketing bodies should cover this cost. If built to previous standards the costs allocated would cover the pitch and the ground would once again be playable now.
The current situation
The pitch is complete and ready for laying. The surface will take 2 weeks to arrive and currently this will place the pitch ready for playing on in late November. In the mean time junior and senior teams continue to go out of the area to play cricket. A number of emails and conversations have taken place to all parties concerned currently the funds remain $600.00 short. All VECC parents and players should realize the following when it comes to payment for these facilities.
The VECC has worked considerably over the past 4 years to develop quality facilities for its players, to the club this has come at a considerable cost. During that time the club has built the training nets (over $12000.00, LMC contribution $1000.00, VECC school renovations, seats installed at the training facility $600.00 and the list goes on).
VECC and all LMC residents pay in addition to their ground fees ect a $6.00 per player facility maintenance fee which remains complex and difficult to obtain, this is only applicable to LMC residents.
The VECC committee feels it is unfair to contribute on top of labour an additional $600.00 to a structure which is meters longer than it has to be.
The VECC share your frustration in having to travel to play home games when a top class facility is at your doorstep. If you feel the same or you are wanting to discuss this further we are more than happy to provide you with the contact number of the person in charge of these projects at LMC.
In the mean time the VECC thanks you for your patience and will inform you of any changes. Information on Marks Oval and the Valentine Rugby League ground to follow.
There has been a number of questions asked about the Valentine Soccer Oval and the new “to be built” Marks Oval Ground at Floraville. I would like to take this time to inform all members where we are in relation to these facilities.
Valentine Eleebana Soccer Ground.
In 2007 after playing 4 senior seasons on this ground and watching the rapid deterioration of the facility Lake Macquarie Council was approached about renovating and re-surfacing the current pitch. Discussions continued in March of this year and again as late as July of this season. There were many things to consider including the following
How the pitch was going to be renovated given its poor condition. Consultation with various people concluded the following. A. a product like rebound ace as used on tennis courts was not appropriate nor was laying a concrete surface over the existing one.
The size of the existing pitch. The VESC pitch measures 1.8 meters wide which is a standard cricket pitch as used throughout Newcastle and NSW for that matter. The LMC consulted Cricket NSW and came up with the following conclusions. A The new pitch had to be wider at 2.2 meters instead of the standard 1.8 meters. B. a new pitch would have to be built on the existing ground.
In June this year prior to in-depth on ground discussions the LMC were informed by the VECC of the importance of having this project completed by no later than the end of September. In fact at that stage a trial game was proposed on the ground in late September. At this stage the LMC via its ground manager assured the VECC they were aware of the dates and the project would be completed prior to the commencement of the 2008/09 season.
The VESC President was informed of the project and gave the structure the clubs full support. Proposed dates were discussed and a date of early September was penciled in as a date of commencing the removal and re-building of the facility.
Between July and September no significant assistance from LMC despite multiple calls and emails from the VECC. Finally in late September following a number of frustrating conversations and emails the matter was escalated to the person in charge of all grounds at LMC. Contact was then made to the VECC informing them the VESC pitch was on the list of projects and a date in the future would be disclosed to the club to confirm the building of the pitch.
October arrives the junior and senior season start with no confirmed date again a number of phone calls and emails later and the VECC are informed the ground is on the “priority list”. Week one of the season passes. The following week the pitch is dug up we are now week 2 into the cricket season and almost 5 months after the original ground meeting.
The VESC pitch is built 2.2 meters wide and 26 meters in length (the standard pitch is 22 meters or if covering 20.1 meters stump to stump)
VECC had/has worked with the council and Newcastle Junior Association and the Newcastle C&S to form a partnership in the following.
LMC would build the pitch (estimated cost according to LMC $9000.00)
Both the senior and junior cricketing bodies would fund the surface (estimated cost for a standard pitch $1500.00).
The VECC would lay the surface of the wicket saving both parties $800.00
Due to the additional length built by LMC the surface cost has blown out an extra $600.00 taking it to over $2000.00 this does not include laying. The Newcastle Junior Association has offered to provide $1500.00 (with thanks) but the club is currently $600.00 short. The LMC feels the VECC or the cricketing bodies should cover this cost. If built to previous standards the costs allocated would cover the pitch and the ground would once again be playable now.
The current situation
The pitch is complete and ready for laying. The surface will take 2 weeks to arrive and currently this will place the pitch ready for playing on in late November. In the mean time junior and senior teams continue to go out of the area to play cricket. A number of emails and conversations have taken place to all parties concerned currently the funds remain $600.00 short. All VECC parents and players should realize the following when it comes to payment for these facilities.
The VECC has worked considerably over the past 4 years to develop quality facilities for its players, to the club this has come at a considerable cost. During that time the club has built the training nets (over $12000.00, LMC contribution $1000.00, VECC school renovations, seats installed at the training facility $600.00 and the list goes on).
VECC and all LMC residents pay in addition to their ground fees ect a $6.00 per player facility maintenance fee which remains complex and difficult to obtain, this is only applicable to LMC residents.
The VECC committee feels it is unfair to contribute on top of labour an additional $600.00 to a structure which is meters longer than it has to be.
The VECC share your frustration in having to travel to play home games when a top class facility is at your doorstep. If you feel the same or you are wanting to discuss this further we are more than happy to provide you with the contact number of the person in charge of these projects at LMC.
In the mean time the VECC thanks you for your patience and will inform you of any changes. Information on Marks Oval and the Valentine Rugby League ground to follow.
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