NEW and upgraded clubrooms are right at the top of the wishlists for many Wimmera league clubs heading into 2018.
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Leaders from Nhill, Dimboola and Horsham Demons all said they would be working towards upgrading rooms at their clubs.
Tigers president Brett Wheaton said the club had been consulting with Hindmarsh shire council about new rooms.
“That’s certainly something we are working towards but what that will look like will depend on funding,” he said.
“The preferred model, according to the shire, is what the Horsham Saints have done.”
Dimboola president Col Campbell said upgraded clubrooms certainly topped his club’s wishlist.
“We’ve got the netball change rooms that should be done before the start of the season and then social clubrooms would move to the top of the list,” he said.
“I’d say the female facilities in general have been below standard – their has been one shower in the umpires rooms and the netballers have never had showers.”
The Demons have continued to put money into improving their clubrooms over a number of seasons.
New chairperson Geoff Lord said it was still on the top of the club’s list to work on in 2018.
“The clubrooms upstairs are still in need of some work," he said.
“They’ve served a purpose for a long time and just need a bit of an upgraded, its similar with the scoreboard but that’s all to do with the grounds.”
Stawell Warriors president Tim Williams said there was always plenty of little things that could be done to help improve the club’s infrastructure.
“There is certainly a list of things that some of our people are working on as they apply for grants,” he said.
“I certainly think a lift for the clubrooms at Central Park would be fantastic.
“We have a few weddings and funerals there but some of the oldies can’t get up the stairs.”
The importance of having clubrooms that could host a variety of functions in the community was also highlighted by Campbell and Wheaton.
“Our rooms are supposed to be able to fit 100 but we don’t really get past 80 mos of the time,” Wheaton said.
“We’d love to provide something which is just a little bit bigger than some of the halls in town.”
The Horsham Saints are looking at possibly relocating its existing gym infrastructure. President Mick Morris said that was unlikely to happen in the near future.
“There are always bits and pieces to do but there is nothing major in the works at the moment,” he said.
Minyip-Murtoa president Scott Arnold said better training lights for Minyip were on top of the club’s list.
“The other one would probably be some better seating for spectators at the netball,” he said.
“I think generally facilities are pretty decent around the league because club’s recognise how important they are to their communities.
“I also think the small imperfections at country grounds make country sport what it is.”