Just read on the Belswans facebook page that the U/17's and U/19's games that were set to be played tonight at Valentine junior grounds have been called off.
Just read on the Belswans facebook page that the U/17's and U/19's games that were set to be played tonight at Valentine junior grounds have been called off.
That sounds like you're putting your hand up to fund improved drainage for all the grounds around. Although, it might be a bit more than simply putting drainage in, a lot of grounds are clay based, which doesn't let the water drain as well, so you may need to rip the ground up and put sand-based soil back in,
Middleby Gone
Lawrie Out
Yeah, plus a lot of fields are either in the bottom of gullys, such as Myamblah Crescent, Harry Edwards and CB Complex to name a few. Main issue is that councils use the sporting fields as flood ways, such as Heaton Park and Walker Field, which means they're suspect to flooding.
Ideally, council would replace the top soil to allow the water to drain away faster. But when would you do it? The fields are pretty much used every week, either Cricket or Football would have to give, and I don't think either would give up for a season.
Middleby Gone
Lawrie Out
Theres plenty you can do in clay based material that wouldnt require the removal of the whole surface.
1. Diversion of the surface water via surface drains into pits and underground pipes - then into storm water drainage systems
2. Subsurface drainage in the form of Ag Pipe around the perimter of the field and at some intervals through it, again draining into the pits that are coping with the surface water.
I would also have thought the locations of sporting fields are a big issue. Most are on land not suitable for building houses shops etc.
They are usually located in low lying areas, with creeks/drains near by or on reclaimed swamp.
Add in the clay bases typically found in the Hunter and lazy arse councils who do nothing to rectify the grounds drainage issues and we have what we have
I don't know if council could really justify the expense of upgrading local parks just to untwist the knickers of some footballers.
Council wont invest. The expectation (for our club at least) is that we apply to hire the ground year to year(no long term lease) but that any upgrades must be paid for by us. Our field (ZPL team, not NEWFM) have summer usage by Atheltics, and we had organised funding for drainage to be put in over the summer, but it was not approved by Council as it would impact on the Atheltics.
Thornton 2-1 up at half time. Both Thornton goals have come off foul throw ins but linesmans not on the ball. Cookers have controlled most of the game. Peter Pryce looking good up front and unlucky not to be on the scoresheet yet.