City of Boroondara council have begun renewing the sportsground at Willsmere Park as a part of the reconstruction program, investing $3.14 million into local sportsgrounds.
Willsmere Park will receive a new irrigation system and drainage to prevent sportsground closures, a minor realignment and replacement of the cricket pitch so it no longer overlaps with the soccer fields. and a new playing surface.
The renewal is set to update the park much needed work so the oval and sports fields can meet the needs of local sporting clubs and the wider community.
East Kew FC posted on Facebook this week how excited they are for the commencement of the redevelopment, with images and video showing a fenced-off soccer pitch.
Vice President of East Kew FC, Jayden Sciarrone stated he is thankful for the reconstruction and overjoyed by the council’s move to renew the park which benefits all of the football club’s teams.
“The Juniors and Seniors have been practicing at Hislop Park, but when the park (reconstruction) is completed, we can have all the Juniors, Seniors, Men’s and Women’s practice and play on the same field,” he said in an interview with Soccerscene.
“It’s honestly fantastic.”
Mr. Sciarrone mentioned the club had issues with the overlapping cricket pitch affecting the quality of play at Willsmere Park.
A City of Boroondara spokesperson commented on their continuous investment to rebuild and refresh sports pavilions and sports grounds across Boroondara.
“Once the works at Willsmere Park are complete, local clubs will have a brand-new pavilion and fully refreshed grounds to play on,” they said to Soccerscene.
The City of Boroondara completed this year the refurbishment of the Jack Gervasoni Pavilion.
Willmere Park areas, including the playground, public toilet and pathways will remain open for public use, while City of Boroondara have requested park users to use Hays Paddock sportsgrounds during the reconstruction for on-lead and off-lead dog walking and recreational purposes.
City of Boroondara have budgeted for this fiscal year another $200,000 for minor improvements in sportsgrounds and $656,000 for the Sportsground Infrastructure Renewal Program to help strengthen local sports.
