South Morang now has a FIFA 1 Star rated soccer pitch with the resurfacing project at Hillsview Recreation Reserve now complete.
Hillsview Recreation Reserve is the home of the Bundoora United Football Club (BUFC), the largest in the municipality with over 500 registered players and large female participation (23 per cent – well above the Victoria’s average of 18 per cent).
The project includes the installation of:
- a synthetic surface playing field
- soccer goals
- pitch fencing
- coaches’ boxes
Our Mayor, Cr Stevan Kozmezski, said it would allow much greater and more consistent use of the Hillsview facilities by the club and adds to the municipalty’s other 2 high-quality all weather synthetic pitches.
We have funded the synthetic surface ($828,000), with assistance from the Victorian Government ($100,000), and the Bundoora United Football Club, which is contributing $100,000 over 10 years.
The new playing ground may also be used by other soccer clubs – when not in use by the BUFC – and will provide local schools such as Mill Park Lakes School and Marymede Catholic College with a year-round soccer venue.
Cr Kozmevski said although Hillsview Recreation Reserve originally opened in 2003-04, adverse weather and unprecedented demand from junior participation meant the original grass pitches were at times unplayable. This resulted in the club being dislocated and a strain on other training and playing venues in the municipality.
The new facility will allow greater flexibility of use of grounds by the other 8 soccer clubs in the municipality, Cr Kozmevski said.
“The synthetic pitch allows the BUFC to better use their home-base facilities with increased training capacity, fundraising capabilities and club community strengthening opportunities.
“The project has enormous benefits by providing a reliable, high quality venue for local and regional schools, and other clubs. It will also be available to Football Federation Victoria for player development events, including the Summer League competition, coaching and referee educations programs.”
