Upper Yarra
3 Tuesday, 6 February, 2018
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Mail Covering the Upper Yarra Region of the Yarra Ranges Shire
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Court out in heat By Kath Gannaway Cr Jim Child has called for an investigation into the ventilation system at the Yarra Centre in Yarra Junction. "It's time to draw a line in the sand," he said calling for a report after years of complaints to the Council. Addressing councillors at the 23 January meeting, Catherine Aulich speaking on behalf of sporting groups who use the centre, spelled out the problems experienced by members of basketball, netball and table tennis clubs because of the poor ventilation of the centre. She said issues with heat and condensation were a recurring theme which had been highlighted numerous times by users of the stadium with complaints stretching back many years. The councillors heard that heat caused cancellation of games, including finals, water dripping from the roof made the floor slippery and dangerous and external contractors have to be called in when the vents need to be opened or closed. As vice president of the 450-strong Upper Yarra Basketball Association (UYBA) and president of the Sub Zero Basketball Club, she said she was also speaking on behalf of the Upper Yarra Netball Association with over 400 members and and the Keenagers Table Tennis Group with around 50 members. Ms Aulich said the UYBA's heat policy meant games were cancelled the day before if there was a forecast of above 38-degrees. "We need air movement in our stadium and the current ventilation is not sufficient," she said explaining the science behind evaporation and body-heat regulation. She gave examples of where netball grand finalists were unable to start their grand final in December last year until the temperature fell and in March 2016 when basketball semifinals were cancelled requiring a major adjustment of finals games. Winter is the problem time for the Keenagers when the lack of air movement causes condensation on the edges of the skylights with water dripping onto the floor making it slippery and dangerous.
Pushing for a solution to a dripping hot problem (from left) Shelly Gray, Nicki Cole and Catherine Aulich. 177247 "Netball and basketball games are also halted when water is found on the floor and refs carry towels in winter to mop up. "The slightest amount of moisture is an accident waiting to happen," Ms Aulich said. She said council officers had confirmed that the ventilation in the roof was working except for one small section. "This tells us that even if that small section was repaired, the existing system is inadequate," she said. With claims that external contractors have to be called in to open or close the vents, Ms
Aulich said "This is not an effective system at any time of the year. It is time to investigate alternatives." Cr Child's motion called for an investigation of the ventilation system to ensure it was fully operational and that staff are trained to operate it. He called for a report from the Director Environment & Engineering to be presented to the Council Forum on 6 March identifying options and costs to improve the ventilation at the centre. He said the centre was one of the shire's
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most well-used facilities and at times the climate in the building was stifling. "We have young kids enjoying the sports they play there and that they're having to do it under these conditions is not on," he said. He described having to bring contractors in to operate the ventilation system as "deplorable". "We need this to be fixed," he said. Ms Aulich told the Mail the organisations that use the centre have requested they be consulted as part of the investigation process.
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