Terang Mortlake mentor Michael Sargeant has questioned the logic behind upgrading the Cramer Street facility, believing it’s time council “started from scratch” and a new neutral premier sporting venue would be the best result for the region.

Sargeant said a showcase facility, which would be used for games only with clubs sticking to their regular training bases, would benefit more people.

“Realistically it (Reid Oval) might be the best spot for it but to spend that much money on three user groups, four if you count the umpiring association, I am not sure if all the other clubs in the district who pay rates are going to get a bang for their buck,” he said.

Sargeant, whose club falls in the Corangamite Shire, said Hampden’s three Warrnambool-based clubs and potentially Warrnambool and District outfits, could play regular fixtures at a neutral premier oval.

“Terang Mortlake might play South there on a Friday night potentially and Warrnambool might play Koroit there on a Sunday,” he said.

“There would have to be changes with the draws but you look at Darwin and other places and the premier oval is getting used by more than just a few groups.”

Sargeant believes an upgraded Reid Oval, which is home to two football clubs and a cricket team, would not cope with a heavy training load.

“It is not going to get the rest it needs to be a premier oval,” he said.

“Premier ovals can’t be trained on, especially not in our climate anyway. Once it’s up and going, if there is training on it every night of the week, it doesn’t matter how good you make your surface, it’s going to get wrecked.”

Sargeant said it was disappointing the council had let its sporting facilities become derelict.

“At the end of the day, it’s the Warrnambool City Council’s problem because they’ve neglected sporting ovals in the area for that long and now it’s coming back to bite them,” he said.

But the former Old Collegians coach also said it was every club’s responsibility to maintain and better its facilities.

He said applying for government grants was an important part and clubs also had to “foot a bill”.

Sargeant believes areas, such as coaching benches, could be upgraded to suit modern football.

“All of these facilities were built when there was two people on the bench and one selector,” he said.

“Now you’ve got three players on the bench plus two or three trainers and statisticians.”

Warrnambool City Council has no firm plans for sporting clubs if funding for the redevelopment of Reid Oval is secured.

Chief executive officer Bruce Anson said several other clubs had indicated they were willing to help out the regular Reid Oval tenants – Warrnambool and East Warrnambool football netball clubs – with alternative home ground locations while works were underway. The works are anticipated to take two years if funding is received. 

“It is too soon to say which of those clubs is keen to help out because no formal commitments have been made,” he said. “It is important to note that council has yet to receive any external funding for the redevelopment of the Reid Oval. Without confirmed funding, council cannot know the scope of the project which will, in turn, have an impact on any interim arrangements.”

When asked if Warrnambool and East Warrnambool football/netball clubs would still have the oval as its home ground after the redevelopments, Mr Anson said given the potential for significant investment into creating a leading regional facility, the council would be talking to all users of the ground about future arrangements.

“Should the project proceed, council will seek expert advice on how to ensure the ground is maintained in the best possible condition,” he said.

He said the ground would be used as often as possible, provided the level of activity did not impact adversely on the playing surface. 

“All clubs will want to ensure the ground is in good condition for finals games so that will be a factor in determining how the oval is used,” he said. 

“This arrangement is already in place.”