Barkly Square to receive football playing surface upgrades

Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s funding application to the World Game Facilities Fund has been approved which allows for the playing surface to be upgraded at Barkly Square in Kyneton, Victoria.

Barkly Square has been home to the Kyneton and District Soccer Club for more than 40 years. As a fully inclusive community sporting club, it provides men, women and children of all ages and abilities the opportunity to play football.

Mayor Jennifer Anderson advised “the announcement by the Victorian Government is wonderful news as Council has identified the Barkly Square playing surface upgrade as a priority project for several years.

“The current playing surface is plagued by poor drainage and an uneven soil profile, which over the last five years has resulted in a significant number of games being relocated to other venues outside the Shire.”

“Council has already committed $250,000 to the Barkly Square project, and with the announcement by the Victorian Government to contribute $500,000, finally this important community project can be undertaken.

“In November 2021, the Kyneton District Soccer Club was announced as Football Victoria’s Regional Club of the Year, for its continual growth of Football in Victoria and the programs the club conducts. Earlier this year, it received the Healthy People and Environment Award at the Macedon Ranges Shire Council Australia Day Awards.”

“With this announcement, I am sure that the Kyneton and District Soccer Club will continue to flourish and introduce new generations of players to the benefits of exercise, social interaction and the joys of ‘football’.”

Works will include:

• Stripping, cultivating and re-grading the existing playing surface.

• Removal of the existing turf wicket table and installation of a new synthetic cricket wicket.

• New irrigation system and subsurface drainage system.

• Installation of a sand layer and resurfacing with couch grass.

• Adjusting the position and dimensions of the pitches.

Council anticipates that work will commence in late 2022 in time for the 2023 winter season.

Image courtesy of Macedon Ranges Shire Council