Mosman Football Club says revamp would be ‘catastrophic’
Mosman sports clubs have rallied against plans which would reduce the size of Middle Head Oval, possibly kicking AFL off the pitch permanently.
The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust plans to open up Middle Head to concerts and markets, and wants to relocate the existing oval pavilion. The pavilion houses change rooms and some seating, and would be moved to another area of the oval and spill onto active playing fields.
Mosman Football Club president Richard Pike said the change would be ‘catastrophic’.
“The proposed pavilion encroaches onto the playing surface, and they have changed the orientation of the pitch. It will damage the surface and reduce our playing space.
“The council has invested a lot of money on the pitch and its drainage, and it is one of the best pitches in in the Manly Warringah Football Association.
“I’m worried about the next generation of players, as we’re already struggling to find playing facilities in Mosman. To lose Middle Head Oval would be catastrophic for our club.”
The space reduction would affect the ability of 100 football teams to train, Mr Pike said. “If we lose space on the pitch, that will then put more pressure on other ovals such as Allan Border and Georges Heights.”
Under the plan, there would no longer be space for the Mosman Swans Junior AFL Club to use the pitch, Mr Pike said. “For them to lose that facility would just be catastrophic for their club.”
Mr Pike was adamant he wanted to work with council and the Trust to upgrade the pavilion, which was in dire need of renovation. “But this current proposal does not work for us.”
Mosman Cricket Club, which uses the oval in summer, and Mosman Council have also rejected the pavilion relocation. In its submission to the Trust, council said the plan would ‘diminish the status of (the oval) as an active sporting facility’ and have a ‘detrimental impact on council’s ability to deliver a high-quality sporting facility for the community’.
Submissions on the masterplan have been extended until 9 May.