Hannah Hammoud
Brimbank council will fund long-awaited upgrades to the Keilor Sports Club (KSC) social rooms, despite council officers recommending otherwise last month.
It was touch and go for KSC when at a council meeting on March 19, council officers recommended that the $550,000 funding promise made in principle last year for the club’s expansion of the social club rooms should not go ahead due to financial risk.
However, KSC president Hayden Kelly said the club was “more than happy” after a final decision was reached at the most recent council meeting on April 16, for council to provide the $550,000 funding towards the project.
“It’s only taken us seven years since we first started talking to council,” Mr Kelly said.
The $550,00 funding follows from the allocation of $150,000 from council, along with a $700,000 contribution from the state government, to upgrade the kitchen and toilets at KSC.
Mr Kelly said funding from the state government and council will allow the club to bring it’s facilities “up to standard”.
“Currently we haven’t got enough space to accommodate all our members. Our toilets and kitchen are third world country stuff, so this funding will help us accommodate our members and hopefully attract more participants as we go forward, and continue to grow year on year,” he said.
Councillor Maria Kerr said council’s investment in the club will benefit the community.
“… I want to acknowledge all the work that went into this project. It just shows you that when sports clubs, the state government, and council all work together we can really deliver some great infrastructure for Brimbank,” she said.
Council will provide KSC with funding of $550,000 in 2024-25, subject to the club-appointed builder successfully completing a corporate scorecard report.
Previously, council cited concerns of a cost blowout for the project, and noted a “significant risk” to council if KSC is unable to afford the delivery of the project within its $2.65 million budget.
As part of it’s funding commitment, council will require KSC guarantors to provide bank guarantees of $650,000 prior to the commencement of construction.
