Reserve gets a sporting chance

By Paul Dunlop
THE smack of leather on willow could once again ring out at Pakenham’s P.B. Ronald reserve.
Cardinia Shire Council is considering the reserve as a home for junior sport following discussions at Monday night’s council meeting.
The move could dramatically change plans to turn the former sporting hub into a town park.
Councillors have asked shire officers for a report on what it would take – and how much it would cost – to develop the area for junior football and cricket competition.
A determination is yet to be made, but the issue is already prompting plenty of debate in the community.
Long-time Pakenham resident Graham Treloar, a strong critic of the decision some years ago to phase out competitive sport at the reserve, said he would welcome the return of junior matches.
“I would certainly be in favour of that,” Mr Treloar said.
But some people said they preferred the reserve as it currently was.
One woman, who did not want to be named, told the News she would be concerned if the proposal affected the children’s playground area.
“It’s a great place for kids,” she said.
“Would you still be able to do that with cricket balls or footballs whizzing around there as well?”
An unfenced oval with a cricket pitch and practice nets are among the facilities being investigated by council.
The lake beside the playground could be reduced in size or even filled in if the junior sport plans go ahead.
Councillors said residents and sporting clubs were crying out for improved facilities, particularly for under-age competitions.
Central Ward councillor Kate Lempriere said she strongly supported the idea.
Mayor Bill Ronald read a letter from Pakenham Cricket Club expressing concern about the lack of grounds currently available.
The letter from club president Trevor Williamson said with the town’s current growth rate, the P.B. Ronald reserve deserved serious consideration as a new home for junior sport.
The Don Jackson reserve in Ahern Road could also be upgraded to allow matches to be played there.
“These extra ovals would always be utilised both Saturday mornings and afternoons during the cricket season and certainly the ever-growing junior football would also be appreciative of the extra fields,” Mr Williamson said.
The P.B. Ronald reserve was Pakenham’s main sporting arena for decades until the development of new improved facilities at the Toomuc Reserve on the Princes Highway.
Since then, the P.B. Ronald reserve has increasingly been considered a town park for passive recreation.
The council last year released draft masterplans designed to further emphasise this by adding walking trails, expanded playground facilities, picnic areas and tree planting.
Cr Ronald said he believed the reserve, which is named after his father Peter Bruce Ronald, could be a home for junior sports as well a place where people could walk their dog or fly a kite.
Shire officers are due to present their report to council in April.