By BEN CAMERON
PAKENHAM Silverbacks president Richard Howlett remains unclear on a future home base for the gridiron club despite $250,000 to be spent on lighting upgrades at Cardinia Recreation Reserve.
Former member for Bass Ken Smith announced in late October $70,000 for the Cardinia Recreational Reserve to upgrade power and install new flood lighting.
Mr Smith said it would allow “the gridiron club to utilise the ground as their home venue”.
The funding would install new sporting lighting on the oval, and provide “training opportunities for the soccer clubs who use the facility for home matches”.
However Mr Howlett said he had not received any concrete guarantees about a future home base.
“Our club hasn’t been approached by anyone, council or state government, about facilities,” he said.
“We have basically been left in the dark, and not promised anything, despite council having known we are looking for a home ground for 13 months now.
“We’d love to work with council and the state government to develop a true home for Gridiron in Cardinia, but can’t really see this happening when the conversation is one-sided.”
The Silverbacks currently train at Lakeside Oval but play all of their games away from the Cardinia Shire.
Council Recreation Projects Officer Greg Polson said council would commit $180,000 from its 2015/16 draft capital works budget for Cardinia Recreation Reserve.
“There is a shortfall between the total cost of the project and the funding provided by the Victorian Government therefore, council has allocated additional funding in the 2015-16 draft capital works budget.
“It is anticipated the project will cost council approximately $180,000,” he said.
“The new lighting will ensure the oval meets the Australian lighting standard for sports like AFL, soccer, rugby and gridiron.
“Pakenham United Soccer Club currently use the oval at Lakeside, however, the club is planning to relocate to a new soccer facility currently under construction at IYU Recreation Reserve, Pakenham.
“Following this, the oval at Lakeside will remain a multi-use sports facility suitable for AFL, cricket, rugby, soccer and gridiron.”
