A unique mural carved by artist Angie Polglaze has been acquired by Council for installation at the Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion.
Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin said the work was created by Angie with the help of her trusty chainsaw.
“The level of detail and precision of Angie’s work is amazing. That a chainsaw could be used to create something so striking is a wonder,” Cr Makin said.
“The piece was created from the timber milled from several of the cypress trees that were felled on-site for the project to commence,” Cr Makin said.
“In this way the mural serves as a reminder of the trees that formerly stood nearby and preserves them in a way that can be appreciated by visitors to the facility for many years to come,” Cr Makin said.
The colourful work will be installed close to the completion of the Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion.
“This major project has seen the demolition of the old Ringwood soccer facilities to make way for the construction of a modern, multipurpose shared sports pavilion for the entire community to enjoy,” Cr Makin said.
“The new pavilion will feature male and female change facilities, associated car parking and lighting,” Cr Makin said.
“Various male and female sports codes will be catered for and the pavilion also includes a boxing gymnasium. These facilities will complement the new, all-weather synthetic surface playing field following the completion of the building works,” Cr Makin said.
The pavilion is expected to be completed in December.
This evening I was invited to launch the new lights at Dorset Reserve, home of the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club. The Club was founded in 1957 and hosts men, women and junior teams. The lights, which were installed in a partnership between the Club, Maroondah City Council and the State Government, will enable the Club to host evening and night games, ensuring that they can continue to meet the growing demand in Soccer.
Maroondah City Council contributed $28,000 towards this project, due to the growing demand for Soccer facilities, as identified in the 2009 – 2013 Leisure Services Strategic Plan. The speech I delivered during the opening is included within this post:
Good evening and welcome to the opening of the Dorset Reserve Croydon City Soccer Club Lights.
In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are meeting on land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries, and on land which the Indigenous Australians have performed age old ceremonies.
On behalf of the Maroondah community I would like to thank the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, the Honourable James Merlino MP for his attendance here today.
I would also like to welcome:
Mr David Hodgett MLA, Member for Kilsyth
Mr Frank Dixon, the CEO of Maroondah City Council.
I am pleased to see so many participants and committee members from the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club here today. I would also like to welcome members of the Maroondah Social Darts Association who also make use of this facility.
Alex launching the lights at Dorset Reserve, the home of the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club, along with David Hodgett, the Member for Kilsyth and the Minister for Sports, Recreation and Youth Affairs, James Merlino and the President of the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club.
This facility is home to Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club, who provide competition to many teams including men, women, boys and girls. The Club has over 450 members with ages ranging from as young as six through to 45 plus. It is great to see such significant numbers participating in competition within the Club.
The project was first identified through the Eastern Regional Soccer Strategy as a high priority and I would like to thank the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club for initiating the application to Sport and Recreation Victoria for this upgrage.
Council’s 2009 – 2013 Leisure Services Strategic Plan confirms the assertions within the Eastern Regional Soccer Strategy that soccer participation rates are continuing to increase in Maroondah and that the upgrade and redevelopment of soccer facilities to meet current and projected future demand is critical.
The provision of lighting will now open up new winter training opportunities for both junior and senior teams. The lighting will enable the ground to be used to it’s full potential, with teams being able to train on all parts of the ground as well as competing in night matches at their home ground.
Alex with the President of the Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club, at the launch of lights for Dorset Reserve
On behalf of Council and the facility users, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the State Government for its contribution. Without their support of approximately $44,000 this project would not have been possible. Maroondah City Council also contributed approximately $28,000 towards the project, demonstrating our commitment to the provision of high quality facilities to enhance local sport. I would also like to acknowledge approximately $24,000 that was contributed to the project by Croydon City Arrows Soccer Club.
On behalf of Council I also extend our sincere thanks to the Committee and Club for their dedication in working with Council to see the project to its conclusion.
The Maroondah Young Leaders program is a week-long intensive program that aims to increase confidence and leadership skills for up to thirty local Year 10 students.
Key topics covered in the program include:
Communication skills
Public speaking
Leadership
Assertiveness
Self awareness
Project management
Group processes
Confidence building
Conflict resolution
This afternoon I was invited to speak with the participants of the young leaders program, during a session where they discussed community projects and the role of Council. As the current Mayor I discussed the Council decision making process, including the need for each Councillor’s opinion to be valued and appreciated.
I outlined the role of Mayor and Councillors, including the structure of wards and elections within the City of Maroondah. Council’s priorities for the upcoming year include community infrastructure, as well as advancing the the revitalisation of Ringwood. One of the core roles of local government is to advocate on behalf of its residents. The lack of public transport, as well as the condition of Ringwood Station, were major concerns expressed by the participants of the young leaders program.
The students also discussed current projects being undertaken within the municipality, including the redevelopment of Soccer facilities at Jubilee Park in Ringwood and the need for additional youth facilities within Ringwood. In this regard, I discussed the importance of Jubilee Park as a major sporting and recreation precinct in Ringwood and mentioned that youth facilities will be developed in conjunction with the redevelopment of Ringwood as a Central Activities District.
The Young Leaders Program demonstrates that younger people in Maroondah are engaged and active members of our community. The Young Leaders program concludes this Friday, where I will be presenting certificates to each of the participants.
Work is now under way on a $3.5 million redevelopment of Ringwood Soccer Stadium in Jubilee Park.
Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Alex Makin, said site preparation had begun and construction work would be visible over the next month or so.
“Council has been working for some time on plans to redevelop the Ringwood Soccer Stadium, which is part of the Jubilee Park sports complex in Ringwood,” Cr Makin said.
“This major project has seen the demolition of the old Ringwood soccer facilities to make way for the construction of a modern, multipurpose shared sports pavilion for the entire community to enjoy,” Cr Makin said.
“The new pavilion – to be known as the Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion – will feature male and female change facilities, associated car parking and lighting,” Cr Makin said.
“Various male and female sports codes will be catered for and the pavilion also includes a boxing gymnasium. These facilities will complement the new, all-weather synthetic surface playing field following the completion of the building works,” Cr Makin said.
Council and Sport & Recreation Victoria have provided funding of $650,000 for the all-weather synthetic surface to be installed on-site. This is in addition to $2.9 million Federal Government grant under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program – Strategic Projects.
“This is great news for the Ringwood City Soccer Club, and for the Maroondah community as a whole,” Cr Makin said.
“Council is delighted that work is progressing as planned on a modern facility that will serve the community for many years to come,” Cr Makin said.
Construction of the Ringwood Soccer Multipurpose Pavilion is expected to be complete in December 2010.
Demolition work has begun at Ringwood Soccer Stadium, paving the way for a $3.5 million redevelopment of the Jubilee Park site.
Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin said demolition works began on Tuesday 8 December, marking the first tangible step towards the completion of the eight-month project.
“Council has been working for some time on plans to redevelop the Ringwood Soccer Stadium, part of the Jubilee Park sports complex in Ringwood,” Cr Makin said.
“This major project will see the demolition of the old Ringwood soccer facilities to make way for the construction of a modern, multipurpose shared sports pavilion for the entire community to enjoy,” Cr Makin said.
“The new pavilion will feature male and female change facilities, associated car parking, grandstand and lighting,” Cr Makin said.
“The new pavilion will cater for various male and female sports codes and includes a boxing gymnasium. These facilities will complement the new all-weather synthetic surface playing field, to be completed after the building works are finished,” Cr Makin said.
Funding of $650,000 for the new all weather synthetic surface will be provided by Council and Sport & Recreation Victoria. The Federal Government has provided a $2.9 million grant for the project as part of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program – Strategic Projects.
“This is great news for the Ringwood City Soccer Club, and for the Maroondah community as a whole,” Cr Makin said.
