Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club has formally sought Federation Council approval to replace the current facility at John Foord Oval with a building that is as flood proof as possible.
But discussion amongst councillors at Federation Council’s monthly meeting on Monday unanimously suggested a much larger approach involving additional organisations in the hope of attracting substantial government grant funding towards a multi-purpose venue.
Council supports the football netball club in its pursuit of a new clubhouse, however, it resolved to investigate the new facility proposal with the club and receive a further report as discussions progress.
Deputy Mayor Shaun Whitechurch said it was obviously a sad time for Corowa Rutherglen to go into recess for 2023 because of the extensive flood damage to the clubrooms last November and shortage of senior players.
“But as one door shuts, there’s an opportunity for another door to open,” he said. Emphasising the word ‘change’, Cr Whitechurch said it was a chance to bring other sporting bodies and other organisations – other than just football and netball – into consideration.
“You won’t get funding for just football and netball clubrooms,” he said. “I could rattle off four or five other organisations interested and you could have a multi venue building providing a better chance of getting funding.”
Reference was also made by Cr Whitechurch to an aboriginal cultural centre being created, particularly as Uncle Dozer of the Bangerang people is talking to council this week, and the subject area being one of future tourism growth, especially with the Murray River. “What could be better than having an aboriginal culture on the banks on one side of the river and a multi-purpose venue on the other?”, he asked.
Cr Sally Hughes agreed with Cr Whitechurch, saying council’s resolution is “very sensible”. After reading in Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club’s letter dated April 19 of the club’s request to raise a new facility 1.5m to 2m above the current ground level, she sought assurance as to whether the proposed level would be fully insured. “The aim is to make it floodproof,” council’s director development and environmental services Susan Appleyard responded.
Federation Mayor Pat Bourke said he supported Cr Whitechurch’s views and the situation can be turned into a positive.
All seven available-for-voting councillors agreed with council’s decision to seek continued investigations and reporting, Club secretary, Cr Rowena Black and Cr Aaron Nicholls who has been involved in potential design and layout of a John Foord Master Plan, declared pecuniary interests.
Council staff have met with Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club management on several occasions and club president Graham Hosier welcomes council’s continual involvement. Significant matters will arise, as advised by Cr Whitechurch, including facility ownership and insurance.
As advised again on Monday, by council’s General Manager Adrian Butler, the club has, under its own steam, attracted State Government grant funding of $750,000 towards new clubrooms.
On hearing of council’s resolution, Mr Hosier said: “We understand we need all sorts of user groups to get funding – we do have four user groups at John Foord Oval at the moment. But we’re open to discussions on council’s resolution.”