Re: Official GVFL thread
Mansfield is hopeful of putting ground for concern behind it
By Christie Peucker
March 28 2007
Shepparton News
Mansfield Football Club will host a home game as early as round three after receiving much-needed rain during the past fortnight.
Club president Mike Morrison confirmed yesterday the club was scheduled to host its first home game against Kyabram on April 28, after months of indifference about if and when the ground would be playable.
In November the township was placed on stage four water restrictions, prompting discussion that the club could be forced to transfer the first half of its home matches, as the reserve deteriorated to barren dirt.
The club's opening round clash against Euroa has already been switched to make it a Magpies home game.
"The ground has been scarified and seeds planted," Morrison said.
"We've had a bit of rain.
"And it's been pretty good with the cooler nights putting a bit of dew on the ground."
Morrison said tinges of green had begun to form during the past few days and that the ground would remain unused until round three to give it every opportunity to flourish.
Also a positive for the club is further news that more funding can be sought by Mansfield Shire Council to help explore drought relief initiatives.
On Friday the Victorian Government announced $4.7 million worth of funding for the Drought Relief for Community Sport and Recreation Program, available to every Victorian council on Stage 3, 3a or 4 water restrictions.
"I've requested the application to be sent to me directly," council community services manager Michael Walker said, wanting to act immediately to secure the $50 000 grant.
"We want to maintain a sustainable playing field, so we'd be looking for a site plan to develop drought resistant grasses on all our playing fields and analysis on sprinkler heads to see if they're effective.
"This will go hand-in-hand with funding for a sustainable water supply, a bore and water tank."
Walker said he was hopeful of securing the additional funding by the end of next month.