Council priority to keep sportsgrounds in best condition

Published: 23 Jul 2021 3:04pm

The cancellation of winter sporting competitions due to rain affected grounds is a decision that will come from local associations in their risk assessment and management of their own code, Wagga Wagga City Council confirmed this week.

Council Manager Parks and Strategic Operations Henry Pavitt has clarified Council’s position on weekend cancellations after a number of sporting events were called off due to wet grounds.

Mr Pavitt said after heavy and consistent rainfall, Council may close grounds during the week to ensure they are in the best possible condition for sporting competitions.

“It then becomes the responsibility of sporting associations to inspect the ground and make the call whether the competition will proceed,” he said.

“That process is part of the association’s risk assessment. It is ultimately their call … Council does not close grounds for competition rounds.

“We understand there is always disappointment when sport is cancelled because of the weather, but that is entirely at the directive of the competition organisers.”

Mr Pavitt said Council has the option to close grounds to training or other activities during the week if it compromises the state of the ground in preparations for competition sport.

“Our aim is to have the grounds in the best possible condition for competition matches,” Mr Pavitt said.

“If that means closing the grounds for training bookings to ensure Council presents the best grounds possible with the weather conditions we are experiencing for the local competitions, then that’s what we will do after looking at all of our options.

“We work with clubs when that situation arises.”

Mr Pavitt warned the forecast of more wet weather in coming weeks may again impact local competitions.

“Please be advised by the competition organisers who will let participants know at the earliest opportunity about playing on rain affected grounds,” he said.