THE cost of maintaining cricket ovals and wickets for the city’s cricket clubs is more than $200,000 annually an Orange City Council spokesman says.
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Toilets at recreational facilities are kept locked with access only by club members with allocated keys as a way of keeping costs down.
Council spokesman Nick Redmond was responding to complaints by president of Orange CYMS Cricket Club Peter Snowden that council’s management of toilet and change facilities at recreational venues needs an overhaul after his club members and players found themselves locked out of toilets at Sir Jack Brabham Park recently.
Mr Redmond said by allocating keys to individual clubs rather than have rangers opening and closing the facilities, it was a way of containing costs for clubs and council.
“While the clubs’ minimal financial contribution does not mean council can waive its responsibilities, it does illustrate that the Orange community delivers a very high level of service to the clubs including the maintenance and preparation of six turf wicket ovals and 15 ovals with synthetic or concrete pitches with 11 toilets,” Mr Redmond said.
Mr Snowden said he regretted his comments that Riawena Oval toilet and change facilities were filthy after learning the facility is administered by Orange and District Cricket Association (ODCA).
President of ODCA Mark Frecklington conceded Riawena’s facilities need more maintenance.
“We do have some issues over there and we will look to address those,” he said.
Mr Snowden said he is sticking by his comments that Orange has insufficient public toilet facilities, as well as limited access for sports people.
“The road to the hospital is a very busy one now with so many people visiting Orange and so many workers driving to the mine.
“The toilet on Forest Road needs to be kept open all day as a public facility,” Mr Snowden.
Mr Snowden said the system of issuing keys to clubs falls short of a full service with some members misplacing keys with change of executive each year in clubs.
