Archived Club News

Park and Victory Square overhaul approved

Prahran Football Club players Matt Laverty, Adam Sleight and Paul Donahoo.JASON EDWARDS

HISTORIC Toorak Park and Victory Square will have a $4.5 million upgrade, retaining the reserve’s red brick wall.
Stonnington Council has approved a nine-stage, 10-year plan to overhaul the 120-year-old sport and recreation facility, after consulting residents and sports clubs.
Design work starts this month on the ground, home to Prahran Cricket Club, Prahran Football Club, Old Xaverians Football Club and Melbourne Rugby Union Football Club.
Main features include better paths; a new scoreboard, storage sheds and practice nets; a ramp into the reserve from Ainsleigh Rd and better access for emergency vehicles; signage recognising the site’s historical significance; improved entrances; and more seating, trees and garden beds.

The Charles Lux Pavilion will eventually be redeveloped to house all club facilities, including the cricket pavilion, outdoor public toilets, Victory Square change rooms and the umpires’ and timekeeper’s rooms.
In draft plans put out to consultation last year the council had proposed removing half of the wall on Orrong Rd.
Strong opposition from the clubs led to the plans being revised to retain the wall.

Prahran Football Club general manager Tod Mackay said the club was “very happy” the entire wall would be kepts.
He said it was one of the few areas on the ground that offered shelter for spectators.
But the cricket club did not win support to relocate the turf wicket to face north and south.
Officers reported to the council that the turf wickets could not be relocated due to the limited land available, the need to keep the surrounding mounds, and the high probability of soil contamination in the area.
A cost rise of $1.5 million on the initial forecast came from “more realistic estimates” and some CPI effects, the officers report said.

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