‘100 netballers and one shower’: Why Mypolonga’s sports club needs a $1 million upgrade

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Mypolonga Combined Sports Club is planning a major upgrade to its changeroom, canteen and other facilities, expected to cost up to $1 million.

Football, netball, tennis and cricket clubs use the current facilities, but the proposed facilities would also be open to other sporting and community groups.

Many of the facilities being used now are old and need replacing.

These include the old canteen and barbecue space, the female toilet and shower facilities and the timekeeper’s box.

Joel Eckerman, president of the combined club, said it was trying to provide current and future generations with better facilities.

“We’ve got 100 netballers and one shower,” he said.

“But the new facilities won’t just be for football and netball; for example, the local martial arts group might use the facilities.

“Hopefully, the upgrades will increase participation.

“The focus is on getting the buildings built and then creating as many ways possible to use the facilities.”

A project sub-committee consisting of Mr Eckermann, Mypolonga Netball League Club grants coordinator Courtney Blacker and Mypolonga Football Club president Jason Stewart is preparing to present a Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program grant application in mid-January.

The community has shown tremendous support for the proposed improvements, offering free labour, along with pledges of support worth around $100,000.

“With savings, pledges and in-kind support, we’ve raised around $300,000 already,” Mr Eckerman said.

“As we’re looking in excess of $800,000, and we’re going to foot half of it, we need (at least) another $100,000.”

As this particular grant does not consider Mypolonga a low socio-economic area, the applicants will be expected to raise 50 per cent of the total amount.

If they were applying in Murray Bridge, they would only need to contribute 25% of the total, or $200,000.

The good news is that the community has rallied around.

Ms Blacker remained optimistic about the future of the club facilities.

“We also hope that the project can be something positive for our community to look forward to as people are going through a challenging time due to the floods,” she said.

“The Mypo community has always been exceptionally strong, and we hope that by the sporting codes working together on this project, we can set a strong example to future generations on how to make great things happen in small communities.”