Huge boost for cricket facilities in Mount Clear

There is a big summer of cricket building at Mount Clear.

Five new cricket nets at the Mount Clear Recreation Reserve were officially unveiled on Tuesday, now ready to be used by the club and community.

The City of Ballarat contributed approximately $561,000 to the Mount Clear Cricket Club Community Cricket Nets Project, while the State Government added a further $100,000.

The project also included the installation of new LED lighting on the adjacent netball court.

Two of the five nets are dedicated to the community for year-round use, while the cricket club will use the remaining three.

City of Ballarat Councillor Ben Taylor said the new nets would greatly benefit the Mount Clear Cricket Club, which boasts more than 200 players, including a rapidly expanding female and gender diverse pathway program.

“We are very proud to be able to keep rolling out these incredible cricket nets throughout Ballarat,” he said.

“We have seen some fantastic nets rolled out at Doug Dean Reserve in Delacombe, Alfredton Recreation Reserve and Russell Square in East Ballarat in the recent years, now Mount Clear Recreation Reserve is home to these fantastic facilities.”

The new cricket nets completion followed the opening of the new scoreboard at Mount Clear Recreation Reserve in June 2023, the result of another partnership between the City of Ballarat and the State Government.

Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle said the new nets would attract even more cricketers to Mount Clear.

“Mount Clear is an incredible community that’s about to have an even more incredible cricket training facility that hits for six,” she said.

“The new facility will bring even more young aspiring cricketers into the mix, strengthening both the sport and the community for years to come.”

Mount Clear Cricket Club enjoyed a successful 2023/24 season in the Ballarat Cricket Association with three of its four senior grades making the finals.

Mount Clear Cricket Club president, Andrew Vandebyl said the club was thrilled with the opening of the new nets.

“This upgrade will provide the best possible facilities for our players and the Mt Clear community to train, improve, and enjoy the game,” he said.

“We look forward to seeing our senior and junior members making the most of this fantastic new addition to our club."

Now the cricket nets have been completed, the City of Ballarat will turn its attention to resurfacing the nearby netball court and two tennis courts, with those works to be completed in 2024/25 financial year.