Whittlesea ratepayers are forking out more than $200,000 a year to maintain a soccer stadium that is only being used between six to eight hours a week during the season.
Councillors have raised concerns about Epping Soccer Stadium, which is failing to attract clubs, despite being the only regional soccer facility in the municipality.
The Harvest Home Road stadium, which is home to Melbourne Victory and Whittlesea Ranges’ National Premier League teams, has approval for use for 12 hours a week, but is only being used for about half that time.
A Whittlesea-wide soccer strategy, which was recently presented to the council, said this was because the facility did not “adequately” meet the needs of local or elite clubs. It stated while the pitch was of international standard, the grandstand, change rooms, kiosk and lighting did not meet the needs of elite clubs.
Local clubs are reluctant to relocate games to the stadium as it takes them away from associated benefits such as canteen operations, medical equipment and sponsorship, it stated.
The report revealed that in 2014-15, the council spent $240,000 on the grandstand and pitch, which had to be maintained to a “very high level”. It stated the stadium needed to be used more often, given the substantial maintenance costs, and officers recommended a review to determine whether an upgrade was required. Councillors refused to back the strategy, believing it did not do enough to address the occupancy problems.
Cr Caz Monteleone said he would like to see more done to address the problem, given the amount of money the community was spending on upkeep.
Leisure and community facilities manager Paul Reading said a detailed feasibility study would be carried out, despite councillors knocking back the strategy.
He said the study would look at the long-term use and viability of the facility.
