Interim arrangements for new netball courts before another reseal at season’s end
May 2, 2018
Irrewarra Beeac netballers returned to their new courts on the weekend. There will however be further works at the end of the season to do repairs to the courts as there are areas that pool water after heavy rain.
Colac Otway Shire had been informed that minor surface adjustments were required to assist with water runoff and to prevent pooling on the new courts. The issue had resulted in the club playing its previous home game elsewhere.
The contractors who laid the new asphalt courts completed temporary repairs last week and will resurface the courts again in October or November after the season finishes and weather conditions are more favourable.
Council’s acting chief executive officer Robert Dobrzynski said the contractor had accepted full responsibility for the defects in the new courts and would meet all costs associated with their repair.
“It’s unfortunate, but the newly refurbished courts were found to have low areas that resulted in some pooling. We have a strong relationship with the contractor, they have acknowledged the issue and are addressing it,” he said.
“With the cooler, wetter weather now upon us it isn’t practical to resurface the courts now. The courts were audited by Netball Victoria and were deemed suitable and safe before netball resumed there on weekend.
“Our contractor has informed us that they will lay a new surface after the season is completed and that it will be line marked, audited and ready for the start of the 2019 season.”
Club officials were consulted and are satisfied to have reached a temporary solution to allow matches to be played this season. They are pleased the reseal later in the year will provide a long term, high quality solution.
Mr Dobrzynski said it was important that netball could be played at Irrewarra Beeac for the remainder of the year.
“Game day revenue is critical to our sporting clubs and netball is a big part of what brings individuals and families to our recreation reserves to take part and spectate,” he said.
“It is important that the netball games are not played at an alternate venue as this has an impact on revenue for the club. There are also improved social outcomes from having all club activities together.”
“We’re disappointed that the new courts fell short of our expectations, but we’re pleased that we’ve been able to work with the contractor to find a temporary solution and that they’ve agreed to redo the asphalt seal when the warmer weather returns.”
The new courts were part of a larger project that also included new lighting, the installation of a generator, new fencing and a courtside shelter.
Irrewarra-Beeac Football Netball Club contributed $75,000 towards the project, with the Council allocating $30,000 and $100,000 delivered by the State Government through its Country Football Netball Program.
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