Hannah Hammoud
Long-awaited Brimbank council funding for upgrades to the Keilor Sports Club (KSC) social rooms is now hanging in the air after a council backtrack.
At a council meeting on March 19, council officers recommended that the $550,000 funding promise that was made in principle last year for the club’s expansion of the social club rooms should not go ahead due to financial risk.
Council cited concerns of a cost blowout for the project, and noted a “significant risk” to council if the KSC is unable to afford the delivery of the project within its $2.65 million budget.
Last year, the $550,000 funding was given in principle support but remained subject to a further report to council detailing the available budget, funding, procurement, project supervision, final project staging, risk management plan, proposed legal agreement with the club and clarification that the project can be delivered within the available budget.
That report came back to council on March 19, with the recommendation to scrap the $550,000 funding.
Both councillors Virignia Tachos and Maria Kerr stepped in to rescue the funding, with an alternate motion to defer the decision raised by Cr Kerr who said she wanted to ensure that there was “no stone left unturned,” to help secure this funding.
The decision to scrap the funding was ultimately deferred to the next council meeting on April 16 to allow for further consultation with KSC and exploration of the legal options in relation to guarantors for the project.
“There has been so much time invested in this project…The Keilor Sports Club is extremely important to Brimbank,” Cr Kerr said. “It is the most prestigious club that we have in Brimbank. It promotes women, it promotes young children, it’s basically the jewel in our crown and it’s a very important part of Keilor and our history.
Keilor Sports Club president Hayden Kelly said the club had no comment to make at present, apart from to say, “that we are very frustrated”.
The Council reaffirmed its previous commitment of $150,000 in its 2023-24 budget for the upgrade the club’s kitchen. The state government has allocated $700,000 for the upgrade of the kitchen and toilets at the club.
