A new synthetic football pitch has been confirmed alongside the potential creation of a planting program for R.D. Egan Lee Reserve at Knoxfield, in Victoria.
The new pitch will be developed with a focus on current best practice to minimise environmental impacts, such as the introduction of newer systems and technology like ‘no fill’ or cork infill.
Knox City Football Club, the side who call Egan Lee home, is one of the largest and fastest growing in Knox. It uses the reserve for training and competition games but in recent years has had to cancel sessions due to the ground conditions.
A correctly-constructed synthetic field play consistently, drain effectively and remain useable nearly all year round.
The new pitch will be installed in the south-western corner of the reserve and be available for public use outside of club hours. Two natural turf fields will remain at the reserve.
Knox Mayor, Cr Susan Laukens said Council had considered the sporting needs of the community along with the potential environmental impacts in an announcement via Knox City Council.
“Our community needs areas to play sport and we do need to consider that synthetic surfaces are an option for our sporting groups so then they can play on their field all year round,” she said in a statement.
“Soccer is a winter sport and our fields do get a lot of usage. With increasing numbers of juniors and female players, our turf fields have never been used so much.
“As part of the synthetic pitch and wetlands project development, and the creation of planting programs for these projects, Council will investigate opportunities to incorporate additional trees into the proposed car park landscape, wetlands and surrounding perimeter of the reserve.
“We have continued to strengthen the environmental outcomes with this project and now we have an increase in tree canopy planting. We can always do with more trees.”
