Dear Club Members,
I thought I would take this
opportunity to update everyone on the current situation regard the Synthetic
turf development for the club.
As you would all be aware there has
been a lot of attention on the Club and Council regarding a potential hockey
turf at Harold Rossiter Reserve. This has come to a head in the last
month with council meeting and more recently on the 3rd of August
with a ‘Today Tonight’ television Story.
For those desperate to see the
story it can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/shares/view?id=1519124038127047
It should be noted that there is a
lot of misinformation out in the community at the moment and as such it is
important that you all know where we are at, so you can share this with family
and friends and support the club.
Before I start it should be
noted that the Town has not committed to a location, nor has the club. As
a club we will continue to work with the town in identifying a suitable
location that will address the needs of this wonderful club.
I will only cover the recent
events, because this has been going for over 10 years and no one has time for
that recap. Needless to say, Club Executive have been working on this proposal
for a considerable period and it is a key part of the Club Business Plan which
is available to all club members.
So, Where is the process
at?:
In 2016/17 the Town commissioned
AECOM to deliver a Business Case to investigate the development of a Synthetic
Turf Hockey Field with supporting grass fields at Harold Rossiter Reserve.
This was based on the development
of a Pre-Feasibility study in 2015, which stated that “Harold Rossiter
Reserve presents itself as the most suitable location for development of a synthetic turf facility given the limited impacts to
the surrounding residential community,
existing clubroom and car parking improvements and availability of surplus
land for development.”
The Business Case was then
presented to Councillors at the Council meeting in July resulting in a large degree
of negativity from some members of the local community.
As an outcome of the council
meeting, the Victoria Park Council recognise the need for the club to have a
turf facility and will “Investigate alternative locations and strategies in
addition to Harold Rossiter Reserve for a synthetic turf facility for the
Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club with a report presented back to Council for
its consideration at the October 2017 OCM.”
A Consultant has now been appointed
and the club is working with the Council and the Consultant to consider all
options (preferably within the Town) to identify a suitable location that will
cater for the club’s needs.
What can you do to
Help:
- It is important that the
club has a common view when it comes to the development of a new facility
and as such we have prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions and the
responses we are trying to give (see link below)
- As part of the community
consultation process the Town has set up a Consultation page at:
http://yourthoughts.victoriapark.wa.gov.au/synthetic-turf-hockey-facility
I
encourage all members to sign up to this and pledge support to the development
of a synthetic hockey turf within the Town of Victoria Park.
- As part of the review
into sites within the town, there will be a community workshop
session. Again I encourage all Town of Vic Park residents (and
others) to attend:
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The ToVP will be holding a community workshop
where they will cover the history of the synthetic turf project, the process
used to analyse potential sites and their recommended options. Help do a SWOT
analysis of the different sites, and provide your own recommendations to be
included in the report to Council.
To register to attend, visit http://yourthoughts.victoriapark.wa.gov.au/synthetic-turf-hockey-facility
or call 9311 8111 or email hockey@vicpark.wa.gov.au
Community Workshop
4 September 2017, 6 – 8.30pm
Town of Victoria Park Administration
99 Shepperton Rd, Victoria Park
Registrations are required for catering and seating
purposes. A second community workshop may be offered if participant numbers
are high.
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We do need the support of all
club members on this, so when you are next taking to family, friends neighbours
living within the town, why not let them know about the club and the importance
of a turf to this ‘community’ sporting group.
CLICK
for FAQs - Please take the time to read this
I thank everyone for their patience
and support in this long journey. It is far from over and all we ask is
that you stick with us. And when the time comes, and we have our own
turf, it will be one fantastic party.
Should you have any questions
regarding the information contained within, please do not hesitate to contact myself,
or any of the Club Executive members.
Regards,
Ryan Willis
Club President