Petanque plan a possibility

By Rebecca Fraser
CASEY Council will consider funding the development of a $25,000 petanque facility at Reid Reserve in Doveton.
At last Tuesday night’s council meeting Myuna Ward councillor Brian Oates moved that the cost be considered at the end of year budget review.
Cr Oates also moved that plans to reopen the canteen at the reserve at a cost of $12,500 be referred to the review.
Cr Oates said the Dove Petanque Club had been waiting for a suitable playing venue for more than two years.
“This has gone on for some time,” he said.
“A couple of summers ago they asked if they could play a final series at Olive Reserve under the trees.
“Council said that initially this was okay but then decided that this was maybe not the best place for an ongoing club to be situated.
“Council then said they would find an alternative place and a report determined that Reid Reserve was a great location.
“They then gave every indication that gravel courts would be built,” he said.
But Cr Oates said council had underestimated the cost.
“The cost was $25000 and there was no money in the budget.
“Council thought it would just be putting down the gravel and rolling it over but it ended up costing more and so the club has been waiting for a couple of years,” he said.
Cr Oates said the sport had become very popular in Victoria and had developed a big local following.
“A lot of people are interested in participating in multicultural sports,” he said.
“The John Pandazopoulos centre in Doveton has a petanque facility that is heavily used.
“This sport has become very popular especially with our ethnic senior citizens and it is important that we promote sport from all different cultures,” he said.