Sports facilities undergoing overhauls

Sports facilities undergoing overhaul

The redevelopment of the Proclamation Park sporting pavilion is just one of many exciting projects that will benefit the Maroondah community.

Despite the ongoing challenges of 2021, the bold vision for this $3.25 million project is starting to take shape. Once completed, it will be home to the Ringwood Saints Baseball Club, Ringwood Cricket Club, Heathmont Cricket Club, the Melbourne Winter Baseball Association and other community groups. The new pavilion will have 180-degree views of the field, new female-friendly change facilities, social rooms, storage for clubs, a multipurpose room with a kitchen, kiosk and spectator viewing area, too. It is only through advocacy of all levels that projects like this are being seen through to completion. Other projects include the $8 million Dorset Recreation Reserve Sports Hub which has started, and the RO Spencer Pavilion which is now complete. Works at the Dorset Recreation Reserve will include a new multipurpose community and sports hub, which will be home to Croydon City Soccer Club and Maroondah’s Burmese/Myanmar community. These works form part of the enhancement plan for the reserve, which also includes upgrades to the open space and accessibility within the precinct with improved lighting, signage and carparking. RO Spencer Pavilion redevelopment works are nearing completion as part of the Jubilee Park Enhancement Plan. The $3.5 million redevelopment includes a new facility with improved accessibility features, new change and toilet facilities, female-friendly amenities, social space and balcony, and designated office space. Meanwhile, completed earlier this year were the $4.5 million HE Parker sporting pavilion and the $3.5 million Silcock Reserve pavilion redevelopments. In total, Council manages 48 sporting ovals and 30 multipurpose sporting pavilions. We oversee sportsground usage and monitor the responsible use of our community facilities. Combined, they encourage an active and connected community which can enjoy the benefits of participating in sports of all levels. To stay up-to-date with our pavilion redevelopments, visit the project page on the Council’s website.

Proclamation Park sporting pavilion

RO Spencer Pavilion

Silcock Reserve Pavilion

Re-imagining Tarralla Creek

We have been working with the Maroondah community and project partners to transform a 2km section of Tarralla Creek into a fun and friendly open space and waterway.

The Re-imagining Tarralla Creek project seeks to enhance the area from Dorset Road to Eastfield Road, Croydon, by adopting urban design and landscaping ideas and to create habitat, better water management and open space. Earlier this year saw the construction of a new wetland and outlet structure as part of Stage One works. This has allowed water to be diverted through the wetland and for ‘daylighting’ of a pipe downstream to create a grassy waterway channel. The planting of around 80,000 ephemeral, terrestrial and aquatic plants which began in June, recommenced in October, and is expected to be completed by December. The project is being delivered by Melbourne Water in partnership with Council, Yarra Valley Water, and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. For project updates as they happen, visit: www.yoursay.melbournewater.com.au/ reimagining-tarralla-creek

City sports grounds primed ahead of summer season

We have started the annual transition of our community sporting ovals from winter to summer sport season.

Council prepares sports grounds for the seasonal changeover following the last fixtured match of the winter season. Council has approximately 40 sports grounds involved in the winter to summer changeover. The changeover involves the removal of goalposts to allow full use of the oval for training and games, with turf wicket playing surfaces prepared using the process of scarification, before being top-dressed and laser levelled. In addition, all sporting grounds will be fertilised, with worn areas requiring returfing to be re-laid using warm season Santa Ana couch grass. All grounds are inspected for playing condition and safety on a weekly basis as part of Council’s operational maintenance program. Football goalposts will be reinstated in late March when the season changes from summer to winter. The community still has access to sports grounds during the changeover period, which usually takes up to four weeks to complete.

Council’s operations team is preparing grounds for the summer season.

Our younger residents have a range of fun new and explorative play spaces around the municipality, including the new playspace at McAlpin Reserve.

Revitalising Maroondah’s play spaces

Recent improvement works at various playground sites across Maroondah have come just in time for the warmer weather and mean there are even more fun spaces to enjoy. McAlpin Reserve playspace

Families will soon be able to explore some of the exciting changes at McAlpin Reserve in Ringwood North. A major revamp of the existing playspace to include all-inclusive equipment and the creation of a new play area closer to amenities will provide fun play options for all ages and abilities. It features multiple swings for all ages, custom-designed junior and senior units, and wheelchair accessible jumper and carousel. The replacement of the existing footbridge, new park furniture, wheelchair accessible double BBQ, shelters and sculptures as well as fresh landscaping are among other enhancements to the space. Modifications have also been carried out to the carpark to improve access, while the creation of a new sealed pathway from Wonga Road will connect to the reserve’s internal pathways. The $700,000 project has been jointly funded by Council together with a $300,000 Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning grant. Albert Reserve playground renewal

Ringwood residents can soon look forward to new and improved playground equipment at Albert Reserve. A new design featuring a large combination unit, 2-seat community swing (with toddler and flat seat), a spinner and Zephyr rocker, and landscaping of planting and mudstone rocks will allow for interactive and imaginative play for all ages and abilities. Other playspaces to have recently undergone improvements include: • Cobain Reserve playground • Clyde Reserve playspace • Nathan Reserve playground • Waterloo Reserve playspace. With more than120 playgrounds, there is no shortage of fun in the outdoors this spring and summer, including fitness stations and free electric barbecues at various locations. To plan for your next outing and find out more about parks and reserves and those nearest to you, visit our Parks and Playgrounds listing on our website.

Making parks fun using Social Scripts

For children and adults who feel anxious in new places Council, with assistance from peak autism peak body Amaze, has produced social scripts for some of our parks and playgrounds.

Social scripts use clear, everyday language and pictures to show what you may see and experience during a visit to these parks and reserves. They can also be used to familiarise anyone who might be concerned or anxious about visiting an unknown environment. There are social scripts for Glen Park Community Space, Quambee Reserve and Warrien Reserve. Social scripts can also be used as a fun reading exercise and personalised to suit each person’s individual needs. To learn more or to download a printed version of any of our Social Scripts, visit Council’s website.

Maroondah Festival cancelled

We are disappointed that given some COVID-19 restrictions will continue to be in place throughout November, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Maroondah Festival.

But the good news is we are planning to bring a new series of smaller CovidSafe events and activities to our outdoor spaces for our community to enjoy throughout Summer. The events and activities will be aimed at bringing our community together and stimulating the local economy. We will provide more information on the planned events and activations as soon as it is available, so please keep an eye on our website and social media channels, or register on our website to receive our fortnightly eNews to stay up to date.

Time to improve your golf swing?

Whether you’re just getting started or an experienced player looking to improve specific aspects of your game, golf lessons are a great way to ensure you achieve your goals. Dorset and Ringwood Golf have experienced golf coaches that can help improve your game, no matter what your current skill.

You have a choice of two PGA Professionals, Zak Ginevra at Dorset and Darren Rowland at Ringwood Golf. Both have many years’ experience in coaching golf and can offer advice for players of all ages and abilities. The will also have access to video analysis and golf simulator/ball flight data to help improve your swing technique and tidy up your short game. Don’t forget the right club is essential, so why not book in for a club fitting to ensure your golf clubs are suitable for your needs. To find out more about golf lessons or to book a game visit www.maroondahleisure. com.au or call Dorset Golf on 9294 5555 or Ringwood Golf on 9298 4500.

Did you know?

We also offer junior clinics to teach children the fundamentals of golf including, swing techniques, course play, gaining a handicap and competition golf.

Get on your bike for Ride2Work Day!

Riding to work not only saves on fuel and parking costs but it also builds incidental exercise into your day and can even improve cognitive ability and productivity once you get to work!

This year, National Ride2Work Day is on Wednesday 10 November. The day is aimed at motivating people to have a go at cycling to work and celebrate those already committed to doing so. Even if you’re working from a home office, you’re still encouraged to go for a ride before work or head out at lunchtime. You can register your participation in National Ride2Work Day online at Bicycle Network Victoria’s website: www.bicyclenetwork.com.au. The website also has a variety of cycling resources and tips.

Experience a taste of Karralyka at home

For over 40 years the Karralyka kitchen has been cooking delicious, nutritionally balanced meals - and now you can enjoy them at home! This month Karralyka has launched a new service, K Meals.

K Meals can cater for dairy-free, gluten-free, fructose-free, diabetic, lactose-free, halal, texture modifications, vegan and vegetarian. Once you place your order online you can pick up your frozen meal from Karralyka in East Ringwood. Delivery options are also available for eligible residents. To view the menu visit www.karralyka.com.au/K-Meals or to find out more call Karralyka on 9879 2888 or email kmeals@maroondah.vic.gov.au