PHOTO: Players from the Glen Iris Junior Football Club joined Mayor Cr Jami Klisaris and Cr Nicki Batagol to celebrate the Ferrie Oval improvement works
New floodlights that extend the hours junior sport can train at Ferrie Oval were officially 'switched on' at an event to recognise recent improvements to this popular sports field.
Meeting at the oval on Wednesday 27 July, City of Stonnington Mayor Cr Jami Klisaris was joined by South Ward Councillor Nicki Batagol, member for Malvern the Hon Michael O'Brien MP, Glen Iris junior Football Club President David Barnaby plus club representatives and players, to unveiled a plaque commemorating the improvement works.
"The park improvements we are celebrating today came off the back of level crossing removal works which saw the oval closed off and used by the crossing removal authority throughout 2020. When the oval was handed back, Council seized the opportunity to not just reinstate the turf, but deliver improvements to benefit the sports clubs who use the oval and the local community," said Cr Klisaris.
"Ferrie Oval is a hub for junior sport in Stonnington and home to the Glen Iris Junior Football Club - The Gladiators - who, as one of our largest sports clubs, has a membership of some 720 junior players.
"It is thanks to The Gladiators that we were also able to add new floodlighting to the list of improvements, through the club's generous $100,000 contribution towards the cost.
"The overall result is a much-improved oval with all new turf, a new synthetic cricket pitch, upgraded drainage and irrigation, new fencing, seats, landscaping, improvements to the shared path network and better, safer car park lighting.
"The benefit of the new lights extends beyond their use for sports training, and they are also used on non-training nights when they are set to a slightly lower lighting level – creating a safe space for the wider community to enjoy activities such as dog walking and exercise," Cr Klisaris added.
The new lighting and park redevelopment has improved the functionality and safety of Ferrie Oval and embedded it as an important centre for junior sport in Stonnington for many years to come.
