News

In great and very exciting news for the Club, on Tuesday night the Mitcham Council meet to debate the future use of Mortlock Park including decisions on the redevelopment of the Gil Langley Building, new oval lighting, Licenses and Lease Agreements.

In news that will delight all our players, parents, supporters, sponsors and the vast majority of the local community, Council members resolved to allow :
- The complete renovation of the existing downstairs area of the Gil Langley Building including new code compliant uni-sex changerooms.
- The provision for two new, separate and dedicated changerooms for female players along with badly needed additional storage areas for both clubs.
- New LED oval lighting of 6 @ 18m poles to replace the 3 existing poles.
- A 10 year lease to use the playing oval at Mortlock Park.

Whilst its been a 5 year process these decisions have been made following extensive consultations with the local community with the last consultation survey completed in October/November 2023 providing very strong support for the above outcomes. We wish to firstly thank the Mitcham Council Administration staff for their thorough and dedicated work over many years. The Mitcham Council Elected Members for their understanding of our needs and voting to agree to the developments. Finally, the local community of which the football club is an integral part who were so strong in backing the proposals. The community both comprehended the importance of the redevelopments and the clear lasting benefits it will provide the Football Club and community.

The Council’s deliberation was thorough and quite lengthy, ultimately leading to the endorsement of all 11 recommendations (which are listed below), many of which received unanimous support. The decisions made on Tuesday night, represent the initial phase in realising the various projects planned for Mortlock Park. A timeline for the Development & Building Rules Approvals and ultimately construction will be provided at a future date.

Its been a while coming – but we like you all, are extremely excited about how this will position the Club for the future especially for female football – both junior and senior.

Lookout for more information which will be passed on when we receive it.

Enjoy your Easter!!

DECISIONS RELATING TO THE FUTURE USE OF MORTLOCK PARK :

Decision 1 – Option 1 : Council resolved to demolish the Girl Guides Hall (subject to relocating the Girl Guides) and return the footprint to open space.

Decision 2 – Option 1 : Council resolved to fund redesign of the former Scouts Hall for use by the Girl Guides and to allow community groups to continue to use the hall during the redesign phase.

Decision 3 – amended motion : Council resolved to licence Goodwood Baseball Club to use the oval space in a manner which represented a compromise between club and community wishes.

Decision 4 – Option 1 : Council resolved to licence Colonel Light Gardens Football Club to use the oval space.

Decision 5 – Option 1 : Council resolved to licence St Therese Primary School and Colonel Light Gardens Primary School to use the oval space.

Decision 6 – Option 1 : Council resolved to fund the shortfall (from Clubs, State & Federal Government funding) for the Gil Langley Building Upgrade and Extension (including two new changerooms), Baseball Batting Tunnels, and storage.

Decision 7 – Option 1: Council resolved to offer a 10-year lease to both sporting clubs for the clubroom building (noting a variation may be necessary following redevelopment).

Decision 8 – Option 1 : Council resolved to install upgraded lighting using 6 × 18m light towers.

Decision 9 – Option 1 : Council resolved to approve new baseball infrastructure including a backstop fence and fencing adjacent Freeling Crescent and Colonel Light Gardens Primary School

Decision 10 – Option 1 : Council resolved to amend the Mortlock Park Concept Plan to reflect decisions 1 thru 9.

Decision 11 – Option 1: Council resolved to consider funding for scoping the remaining Concept Plan elements as part of the 2024/25 Annual Business Plan & Budget process.