Football Victoria (FV) has joined representatives from the City of Monash and Eastern Lions SC to assess the playing surface at Gardiners Reserve in Burwood.
At the meeting, the City of Monash confirmed that a burst irrigation pipe under the field's surface caused water damage to an area situated just in front of the Visitor's Technical Area.
The resulting damage to the playing surface was subsequently deemed unsafe for players (both seniors and juniors) and match officials by FV and the City of Monash’s Recreation Department.
The City of Monash has confirmed works to occur on the playing surface with a view to all parties working towards Eastern Lions' home fixture going ahead on Saturday 7 March 2020 at Gardiners Reserve.
An inspection of the facility will take place in the week commencing 2 March 2020. This inspection will include the City of Monash's Horticulture and Recreation team and the Council’s independent consultant (SportsTurf) on the field's standard.
No Senior or Junior training will occur on the field in the lead up to this inspection.
FV would like to advise all NPL Senior Men’s clubs that all other aspects of the Gardiners Reserve facility have been endorsed to host 2020 NPL Senior football, noting that all U20 fixtures will utilise the change rooms and synthetic field at the venue.
This playing field change frees up the two change rooms allocated to the Gardiners Reserve grass field for exclusive use by NPL Senior teams.
The City of Monash has also confirmed that two new change rooms will be established for players using the grass field in May / June 2020.
For all enquiries in relation to the Gardiners Reserve facility, please contact FV by emailing nplvictoria@footballvictoria.com.au