Capital plan for Casey sport

By Marc McGowan
CASEY council officers have taken a major step towards making the region the sporting capital of Victoria with an extensive $93 million development blueprint.
New Casey mayor Geoff Ablett launched the Casey Leisure Facilities and Development Plan in front of representatives from a host of local sporting clubs at council chambers last Wednesday night.
The 15-year plan outlines the development of 182 new sports fields and facilities and council officers’ scheme to increase participation in sport.
City of Casey manager of city living Richard Amon has played a pivotal role in the development of the plan over the past two years.
“This is the first time we’ve done a whole city-wide approach,” he said.
“It meant we could look at things not only area by area but also sport by sport to come up with almost a mini-plan for individual sports.”
Amon identified basketball, soccer and cricket two years ago as three sports that were in major need of new facilities and they have all benefited from the plan.
He also said that the $93 million figure could rise as the developments take place.
Amon said the main priority was to produce a long-term plan to help with future budgeting.
“It means we’ve got a clear vision for our future,” he said.
“It makes us very well placed to apply for a number of different grant opportunities because we have a very clear strategic direction for the future of our city.