By Oliver Lees
The old grandstand at Gilbert Gordon Oval will be torn down for safety reasons, following an inspection by a Macedon Ranges council building surveyor.
The Gilbert Gordon grandstand removal project is slated to take place in early April and will take approximately five days to complete.
Macedon Ranges council assets and operations director Shane Walden the safety of patrons at Woodend’s premier sporting ground is the most important consideration.
“The health and safety of the community is important, and unfortunately, the grandstand is no longer fit for public use,” he said.
“The removal of the grandstand is in the interest of safety.”
Woodend – Hesket Football and Netball Club president Paul Podbury conceded it was sad to see the old grandstand go, but ultimately it was in the best interests of the community.
He said the space currently occupied by the grandstand will be used to build two new netball courts, which will allow members of the football and netball teams to train together.
“In a perfect world we would keep it, I’m sure some people in the community are no doubt disappointed,” he said.
“But the grandstand is decrepit and building these netball courts will be good for the club.”
The netball team currently trains at the Buffalo Sports Stadium, which is located over a kilometre from Gilbert Gordon Oval.
One of the key directions of the Gilbert Gordon Oval master plan, which was released in 2014, was to “upgrade and retain” the grandstand.
Whilst the grandstand will be removed Mr Podbury said the club had been in discussions with the council to build a new tiered seating area on the opposite side of the oval.
The oval and grandstand were named after the former councillor of the then Newham-Wyndham council, who maintained the ground’s surface for over 30 years using his own tractor and fuel.
