Toomuc set for upgrades

Belle Wouters (left), Simon Curtis (middle) and Nicole Betteridge are all smiles after the recent announcement of $4.5 million for upgrades at Toomuc Reserve.

By Nick Creely

Labor candidate for La Trobe Simon Curtis has pledged $4.5 million for much needed works at Toomuc Reserve in Pakenham, with all user groups that use the reserve set to benefit from the funding.

Mr Curtis met with the user groups of the reserve on Tuesday, 23 April to make the announcement that an elected Labor Government would match La Trobe MP Jason Wood’s pre-election commitment of $4.5 million, which would deliver urgent works, particularly at the Pakenham Little Athletics and Pakenham Baseball Club.

Mr Curtis told the Gazette that he has worked tirelessly with the user groups at the reserve, which includes the likes of the baseball, athletics, cricket, football, netball and junior football clubs, to form a collaborative plan to share the funds around depending on a needs basis.

“I sat down with all the user groups before the announcement, just to get an undertaking and understanding that the funds would be shared according to need across the entire reserve,” he said.

“This will deliver on need for the baseball and athletics clubs, and also will help the athletics club progress to their new home, which they are very much looking forward to doing, and also the renovations to the junior football club, netball club and football club pavilion as well.

“There are parts of the funding that will go to each of those sporting groups.”

Mr Curtis said it was important to be clear with all parties involved as to where they stood in relation to the funding.

“I was very keen to meet with all stakeholders, because it’s important that they know from the outset that just where they stand in relation to this funding,” he said.

“What I didn’t want to happen is to be upset like they were after the last announcement and be confused, and I think people are very clear as to the plan going forward.”

With all user groups helping contribute to the announcement, Mr Curtis thanked Pakenham Little Athletics representative Belle Wouters, who has been the main advocate for making the meeting and announcement possible.

“Belle was very proactive in the way she and her team advocated for the funding with me,” he said.

“They never wanted to play politics at any stage, they simply wanted to ensure that there was the funding that they so desperately need for the athletics and baseball part of the reserve.”