LATE last month Hamilton Soccer Club treasurer, Tanya McLachlan, wrote a letter to the Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) expressing her deep concern regarding the current state of the club’s car park at Pedrina Park and the road leading to the grounds.

Ms McLachlan said that as a parent of two children who actively participate in soccer and as the treasurer of the Hamilton Soccer Club, she felt compelled to address the safety issues that have arisen due to the deteriorating conditions.

“Our club has had enough of the council ignoring us and spending so little money on upgrading our soccer field especially since Melville Oval is being refurbished they are trying to rush $250,000 worth of lighting for the football players just so they can train, yet we can’t even access our ground to play competitions - especially in the light of the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” she said.

“My concern is due to the lack of drainage (that the council has been promising for the last 3-5 years) not only do we have to cancel games, we struggle to park our cars, we slip and slide and some cases fall getting equipment to and from the grounds from the mud, because the council won’t provide a club house for us.

“But the most important and I think the most frightening thing is we would struggle to get an ambulance and the paramedic up onto the field to gain access to an injured player.

“First and foremost, I am genuinely worried about the safety of not only my own children but also every child who seeks access to the field.

“It is disheartening to witness a lack of safe pathways for children and the inability to provide emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, with convenient access to the pitch.

“I must emphasise that ensuring safe access for such vehicles is a fundamental requirement for all sporting requirements and neglecting this priority constitutes a breach of our duty of care, which we as a club are committed to upholding.”

In her letter, Ms McLachlan says that according to Building Regulations 2018 – Reg 161, any driveway exceeding 30 metres in length must be designed, constructed, and maintained to accommodate a loan limit of at least 15 tonnes, using all weather construction materials.

She said regrettably, the current state of the access gate well before subsequent rainfall demonstrates the negligence in meeting those standards.

“It is worth noting that these photos were taken before the commencement of the first game on that day, during which we had a total of five games scheduled,” Ms McLachlan said.

“Furthermore, the excessive fees of $5552.86 that the Hamilton Soccer Club pays annually to the SGSC for site maintenance are difficult to justify when they fail to ensure ambulance access.

“The lack of proper maintenance has resulted in a mud-soaked and undrained pitch, posing a considerable risk of injuries such as broken and sprained ankles, damaged hamstrings and dislocated knees.

“The likelihood of a child requiring emergency medical assistance due to such injuries is alarmingly high.”

Ms McLachlan said in addition to these concerns, the inadequate provision of storage or clubhouse facilities by the SGSC forces children to retrieve equipment from a storage shed across the muddy car park.

The treasurer also said the unsafe conditions of the car park have led to several incidents of cars losing control while attempting to access the soccer pitch.

Ms McLachlan said that as a responsible driver she has personally experienced situations where she nearly hit parents walking to the storage shed.

“This poses a significant risk to individuals accessing sports equipment, and if an accident were to occur, it would inevitably lead to legal repercussions,” she said.

“Soccer, being a winter sport, is naturally associated with rain and wet weather conditions. However, the SGSC has failed to provide the Hamilton Soccer Club with suitable club rooms or easily accessible shelter, leaving spectators no choice but to remain in their cars to watch their children play.

“Unfortunately the current state of the car park prevents cars from getting close to the pitch, thereby hampering the ability of parents and supporters to fully enjoy games while seeking refuge from inclement weather.”

Ms McLachlan said the road leading to the soccer pitch is riddled with potholes that have been inadequately addressed.

“Temporary measures, such as filling them with grass clippings, are temporary solutions at best – the damage caused to vehicles and the potential risk of getting stuck further exacerbate the condition of the car park,” she said.

“It is disheartening to note that while the entry into Pedrina Park, heading towards the side of the hockey pitch, is well maintained and graded, the road leading to the soccer field has been neglected for the past six years that I have been associated with the soccer club.”

SGSC senior communications officer, Beth Gibson, responded to The Spectator’s inquiries about the letter and said, “Council has inspected the car park and is planning to resolve the issue over the next couple of weeks”.