By JARROD POTTER
THE first signs of rain used to signal a mad scramble at Frank Holohan Soccer Reserve.
Fans at the Endeavour Hills-based soccer complex would need to cram under a small awning to stay dry while watching their beloved Dandenong City soccer team whenever rain fell at the venue.
For the umpteenth time in the club’s history, the rain once again arrived in south eastern suburb on Saturday afternoon but for a change no City fans needed to get up.
The club had just unveiled a new grandstand to cover the seating at the venue and make the viewing experience much more pleasant for the National Premier League’s team and its vocal and passionate supporters.
Dandenong City president George Sabljak said the new pavilion came in handy for its Saturday debut as rain lashed the suburbs.
“It was quite ironic because it rained today (Saturday),” Mr Sabljak said.
“So the pavilion itself served its purpose and usually we’d all be huddling under the covering, which is only two metres wide but today we were nice and comfortable.
As a large portion of the construction was generously donated by club volunteers, Mr Sabljak said the club didn’t have an exact figure for the price of the grandstand but estimated costs without voluntary works would have been about $300,000 to $400,000.
“We funded it ourselves through our sponsors, volunteers and members – it was totally self-funded,” Mr Sabljak said.
“If we had to go out in terms of market rates we would be looking in excess of $300,000 to $400,000 but we came well in under that.
“They all pitched in and helped and didn’t charge for their time and it was fantastic.”
The club is in the process of getting approval for the grandstand’s name.
Dandenong City thanked Ivan Filipovic and the IMD Group for supporting the project.
City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan attended the grand opening and the club delivered a fantastic game to christen the grandstand – Dandenong City claimed a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the St Albans Saints.
For more on the match report, turn to the sport section.
