By Sibanengi Dube
Keilor Sport Club (KSC) faces the grim prospects of losing a $700 000 government grant if Brimbank Council sticks to its zero-budget allocation for the overdue upgrading of the sports facility.
President of KSC Hayden Kelly said he was informed by the council officials that his club does not feature on its 10-year financial plan of sports facilities.
Mr Kelly said the Brimbank owned KSC needs R2.5 million to build a new female toilet, upgrade the kitchen and modernise the sports amenities to meet the required modern standards adding that the local authorities did not spare any cent for the project in its 2023/2024 budget.
“About $300k was raised by Community contribution and support from sponsors. (Seven hundred thousand dollars) $700K came from the State Govt and I assume will need to be handed back if we don’t go ahead,” said Kelly.
He said it was ironic that the council paid $50000 for the new KSC plan but developed cold feet at the upgrading stage of the 38 years club which is being utilised by more than 1400 Brimbank sports enthusiasts.
“Council staff told us in early April [5th ] there would be no funding for us 23/24 and as per their 10 year plan the only funding available will be a small amount for a kitchen makeover in 25/26. There will be nothing of significance provided in the next 10 years,” said Mr Kelly.
Kelly added that the Council will have to return the $700 000 received from government to upgrade the club if the outstanding $1.5 million was not forthcoming.
The club raised $300 000 from donations and community fundraising activities.
Kelly revealed that club’s toilets were not compliant to the needs of their elder members of the club.
“We need at least one additional female toilet. The kitchen and canteen cannot cope with the number of participants we have and consequently we need to hire other venues for junior and senior functions,” said Kelly.
Community wellbeing director Lynley Dumble confirmed that KSC will be considered for budget allocation in the coming years, but described the club as a high priority to the council. Ms Dumble said $50 000 has been provided for the club designs already adding that $120 000 was also availed for upgrading the toilet.
“In relation to Keilor Sports Club, in 2022/23 Council has provided $50,000 to the Keilor Sports Club to undertake detailed design of their planned social room extension and is yet to be provided with the final results and costings of this design work as well as details of the funding requirement being asked for by the club.
“There is also an allocation of $120,000 for the upgrade of the kitchen at Keilor Sports Club, which is a high priority following assessment which will be provided for in the coming years,” said said Ms Dumble.
Ms Dumble also said the number of participants using a sporting facility was not the only consideration when allocating money.
“Participation numbers are just one of the assessment criterion, other criteria include the inadequacy of current facility, council policy objectives and value for money.
Council is currently reviewing the Sports Facility Development Plan, having recently undertaken audits of all Brimbank sports facilities and will update the priority orders based on updated assessment criteria and weightings prior to sending out the draft Sports Facility Development Plan 2023 for community consultation,” she said.
Ms Dumble also said the council budget was not yet finalised and all feedback from the community will be considered.
