Council budget not so good.

MBRC budget came down this week. I have been waiting to see if any major funding had been allocated to the court redevelopment. Unfortunately it is all disappointment - no major funding has been put towards our project.

Council did allocated $905000 to extend indoor netball courts & carparking at South Brendale. This follows the $1.2 million invested in that complex and the $380000 to resurface the courts at PRNA last financial year. They are also spending $11million odd on the Burpengary Sports Park next year but that is primarily to relocate the AFL from Barr Oval near the showgrounds. I don't think any other sport get any benefit so good luck to the Lions.

Today I have received a letter from Greg Chippendale to inform me that MBRC has provided $25000 in the budget for detailed planning. I guess that is a step in the right direction and we just have to wait our turn; meaning another year. Apparently there is some committment to funding in the following 2 budget years. I am not sure why that is. I just hope they don't think they can stage the development, courts one year and light the following year. That would be devastating to our night competition, club training and rep training, not to mention the stress it would put on the association's income stream. I will no doubt bring this up with Council at the first opportunity.

So, what does this mean in the short-term?

First up, we resurface at least courts 1 - 4 with grant money I was successful in getting from the SRQ Flood Fightback fund. Hopefully that can be done during the September school holidays. At worst we may not start the summer comp until mid-October, which is probably about normal time anyway.

Secondly, in the new court layout we demolish the little shed at the western end of the complex. I intend replacing it with another larger shed at the eastern end (behind the practice wall), possibly at the same time as court resurfacing so we only have trucks coming in over grass courts once. It will depend if the trucks can actually get to the site.

Third project, would be to do some design work to extend the clubhouse at the eastern end, providing additional storage, an umpires station, elevated viewing platform over court 5 and access to intended terracing of the hill behind courts 6 & 7. The aim would be to do the ground works at the same time the courts are being re-built.

I am happy to take on any other suggestions from members so please come and talk to me or email me.

Court redevelopment news

I recently spoke to the MBRC facilities management staff who informed me they have the final proposal from the consultants that we have been working with. Final plans include 14 correctly spaced courts with full competition quality lights and new drainage. I hope to have a copy of the final report by the end of this week.

They also informed me that Council should be deciding on budget allocations for next year by mid-June so fingers crossed we are included.

We received $52 000 (ex GST) from Sport & Rec Qld last month to repair & resurface courts 1-4. I had originally considered trying to do that repair work in the July school holidays but the executive committee have decided that is too risky, particularly as we have our annual rep carnival on Sunday, 10 July, the last day of the holidays.

Council have agreed it may be wiser to wait until the September holidays. I have spoken to SRQ and they are aware of the delay. The funding has to be acquitted by end September so we are on track to do that.

Will provide a further update after I see the final report.