The club can announce that it appears likely our main home ground, Boss James Reserve, will be resurfaced following this season, resulting in significant disruptions next year.
Its a matter of short-term pain for significant long-term gain, if in fact the project goes ahead.
The club has been working closely with the Bayside City Council for the past few years ensuring we can present a safe and high standard playing surface and a surface up to the standard VAFA Premier Football deserves.
Melbournes drought wreaked havoc with the playing surface, especially during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, and while the surface is looking remarkably better this year, the ground remains quite hard under-foot, the grass coverage isnt ideal/consistent and the ground isnt level.
Its anticipated the ground would be closed from September 2011 for approximately 12 months while the work is undertaken. This will obviously cause disruptions for the Hampton Rovers Football Club and Hampton Cricket Club. Both clubs are aware of the situation and have been working with various parties to plan for what may lay ahead.
Apart from the obvious fact we wont have our main home ground to play on, another significant disruption in 2012 will be reduced revenue, with bar, canteen, luncheon/membership and other fundraising revenue to be impacted. To that end, the club is concentrating on ensuring we have a cash reserve in place for when the works are undertaken to offset this loss of revenue.
The upcoming Gala Ball, our major club function of 2011, will be run as a major fundraiser for the club and we encourage all members and friends to attend for what will be a fantastic night. Please click here to read more.
If the work does proceed, it will be a great outcome for the club and will ensure we continue to have some of the best facilities of any club. The Rovers have further plans to improve facilities at Boss James Reserve including beautifying the area in front of the social rooms and an electronic scoreboard, while the cricket club is also planning to build new cricket nets, situated back from the ground.
While nothing can be confirmed at this stage, well be working closely with the Bayside City Council and will keep members updated as best as possible through the website and eNewsletter. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
