By Deanne Jeffers
WORKS to improve Princess Park after it was inundated by floodwater last year are underway, with the oval and cricket pitch being watered and replanted by Greater Shepparton City Council.
Shepparton Swans Football and Netball Club president, Jarrod Sutherland says that they anticipate the oval to be fit to play on by Round 1, held on Easter weekend.
“There was a lot of damage to our rooms, and they are currently stripped out. We’re still waiting on news about the insurance assessment and unsure what the pay-out will be like.
“The AFL has come to our aid and will supply portable change rooms that we can use for the next two years at Princess Park,” said Jarrod.
AFL has also provided Shepparton Swans FNC with around $30,000 towards flood recovery and a grant of $35,000 for goal post nets. Greater Shepparton City Council has said it will resurface the netball courts ahead of the 2023 season.
Pre-season training, which kicked off this week, is being held at Rumbalara and Congupna Football clubs.
Also impacted by the flood event, Shepparton and Youth Club United Cricket Club (SYCCUCC) have been training at St Brendan’s Primary School and Central Park while their facilities are being repaired.
“We are keen to get back to some normality and we hope to go home and get back to training at Princess Park in the next few weeks,” said SYCCUCC president, Steven Tate.
“Council is doing everything it possibly can to get the grounds up to scratch,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the floods couldn’t have come at a worst time. Princess Park user groups were desperate for an overhaul before October. Funding beyond Council will be required to rebuild the facilities to be fit-for-purpose.”
Five years ago, Council created the Princess Park Masterplan, which would see a multipurpose building for the precinct’s user groups but the impact of Covid and the floods has seen costs increase, while equally limiting sporting clubs’ ability to operate.
SYCCUCC has organised a cash raffle to help raise funds for the club’s recovery. First prize is $3,000 and will be drawn February 25. Donations are welcome anytime. For more information, head to www.sheppartonyouthclubunitedcc.com.au/product-page
