The Dandenong District Cricket Association may retract its application to play grand finals at Casey Fields after a parking controversy arose.By Marc McGowan
A BREAKDOWN in communication is threatening to derail the Dandenong District Cricket Association’s (DDCA) desire to play grand finals at the region’s premier sporting complex, Casey Fields.
Despite Casey Council approving the DDCA’s request to play semi-finals and grand finals on ovals two and three last week, DDCA president Mick Hawking is reconsidering the decision after potential parking issues arose.
An AFL practice match is scheduled on the Casey Scorpions’ main oval on 17 March – the same day as day one of the DDCA’s grand final.
The complex will charge patrons to park, and Mr Hawking is concerned the fee will spill over onto the cricket enthusiasts.
“It’s going to be a little traumatic to pay to get in the ground. I’m not sure what’s happening there,” he said.
“We would like to play a grand final there.
“It is very disappointing that this has happened, but you can’t do much about it.
“We could end up playing no grand finals there. Sometimes it becomes impractical.”
Mr Hawking was not invited to a meeting in the past week to try and resolve the controversy.
Casey councillor Rob Wilson, who did not attend the meeting, revealed the comical decision and was perplexed at Mr Hawking’s absence.
“There was a meeting between the council and Cranbourne Cricket Club, but Mick was not informed of those discussions,” Cr Wilson said.
“The DDCA should have been involved.
“There has been some communication breakdowns.”
The cricket-loving councillor is adamant that cricket fans will not have to pay to watch their local heroes, but is yet to come up with a solution to the problem.
“There is a bit of rubbish going on,” he said.
“The mayor (Colin Butler) and I are trying to sort it out.
“The cricketers won’t pay anything and people will be able to park around those grounds.”
The councillor said he was not sure who he had to deal with to remedy the situation, but was going to discuss it with Casey council yesterday (Wednesday). At the time of going to press, the issue was unresolved.
