A REQUEST for a rate rebate by a Millicent sporting club has been met in part by Wattle Range Council.
The Millicent Bandits Baseball Club had sought a full rate rebate for its clubrooms and playing arena at Bolton Oval.
The December monthly council meeting decided to follow its policy and granted a rate rebate worth $600 to the playing arena.
Deputy chief executive Paul Duka said it was council policy not to grant rebates to sporting clubrooms which had liquor licences.
The meeting had considered a written report from Mr Duka as well as a written request from Millicent Bandits Baseball Club president Michael Pink for the full amount of almost $1100.
Mr Duka noted the Bolton Oval clubhouse had recently undergone a major kitchen/clubroom refurbishment of $138,330.
He said the Millicent baseball contributed $10,000 towards the refurbishment.
“Membership of the club is approximately 70-80 members and its capacity to pay rates in addition to other outgoings is constrained by current membership income, “Mr Duka said.
“The Millicent Bandits Baseball Club wrote to council in September requesting an exemption of five years for the outgoings associated with the lease being building insurances, electricity, water and sewerage.”
Although baseball has been played at Bolton Oval since 1994, there has never been a formal lease between the council and the club and this situation is being rectified.
In his application, Mr Pink noted that his club had never been required to pay council rates.
He said the club qualified for a rebate owing to its community benefit and junior programs.
According to Mr Pink, the club would be facing financial hardship if a rebate was not provided and he submitted the club’s full financial statements for the last year.
The tender to re-furbish the Bolton Oval clubrooms was won by a Mount Gambier building firm.
The brick building was re-roofed, gutters replaced, the kitchen upgraded and a disabled toilet installed.
Showers were installed as well as separate facilities for female competitors.
The Bolton Oval sporting ground honours the memory of post-war Millicent sporting identity Fred Bolton.
After a successful career with SANFL clubs North Adelaide and South Adelaide, Mr Bolton continued to star with the Millicent Football Club and in the Mid South East Football League.
He is also fondly remembered in Millicent for his long and dedicated service as an underage coach.
When it was established in the 1970s, Bolton Oval catered for hockey, tennis and senior and underage cricket.
Baseball is now the only sport there.
