By ROY WARD
DANDENONG’S Shepley Oval will undergo a million-dollar development, with the ground level of its pavilion to receive a long awaited facelift.
The ground level houses the changerooms, gym, medical rooms and offices for TAC Cup club Dandenong Stingrays and the away changerooms for visiting cricket sides.
The $1.25 million works will boost the size of the rooms which will extend under the second-level balcony making it bigger and adding room for a much-improved gymnasium, medical rooms, changerooms and offices, along with better amenities.
The ground will also receive a digital scoreboard which is in the process of being installed and, if ready, could be in use for the second day of Dandenong Panthers’ final round Premier Cricket clash against Richmond this Saturday.
The works are being jointly funded by the State Government, which has contributed $312,000; the City of Greater Dandenong, $700,000; AFL Victoria $200,000; and Cricket Victoria $40,000.
State sports minister Hugh Delahunty announced the works with Greater Dandenong mayor Angela Long and dignitaries from contributors at Shepley Oval on Monday.
Dandenong Stingrays talent manager Mark Wheeler said the improvements were long overdue and would bring his club’s facilities up to that of other TAC Cup clubs.
He said the bigger rooms would make it easier for the growing club to manage, test and develop their players, while Shepley Oval could also host more AFL under-16 or even under-18 national championship matches.
Dandenong Panthers president Michael Findlay said his club could potentially move into the new changerooms and would benefit from making use of the improved gym facilities.
He said the Panthers may test out the new scoreboard this Saturday if it has been completely installed and club scorers can learn how to use it.
Work on the redevelopment is expected to begin later this year.
