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2013-14 Season Handbook

Knox Park Athletic Facility History

1968 Boronia High School Oval

1969 Chandler Park, Boronia

1978 Knox Park, Knoxfield

All fundraising prior to Knox Park held in a "Trust Fund" by the Knox City Council with a total of $16,500.

The Knox Park Athletic Facility was officially opened on 18th November 1979.

Knox Park Sporting Complex Opening Plaque		George Dyer Stand Opening Plaque
Please click City of Knox Plaque images above to enlarge

Knox Park Pavilion 1978  Paid for on 20/40/40 Basis. The $16,500 held in "Trust" became the 20% required. Another 40% to be paid back over 10 years. Council paid the remaining 40%. Cost of Pavilion $98,000.

Knox Park 1978  In November we moved down there even though track was only up to the asphalt stage. It was topped with a Resilite finish and marked out in February 1979. A six lane circular track with an eight lane front straight Cost of track $128,000 by the Knox City Council.

Knox Park 1982  Knox City Council agreed to increase the size of the track to 10 lane front straight 130m long, 8 lane circular track and a 8 lane back straight 130m long. Also a "Resilite" High Jump area and provision for a steeple water jump.

Knox Park 1984  Declared a Senior VAA Venue. Cost to Little Athletics and Seniors $60,000 for equipment

Knox Park 1984  Knox City Council informs Knox Park Liaison Committee the Knox Park will be a Regional Complex with Council taking a greater financial responsibility. We were four payments off the Pavilion, and were now going to be charged a yearly fee.

Knox Park 1985  Store Sheds on the back straight built and paid for by Little Athletics and Seniors and COM $30,000.

Knox Park 1985  Knox Park Liaison Committee commenced hiring of the track to schools for sports days. Speakers installed. Cost $5,000 by Little Athletics, Seniors and CO Manangement.

Knox Park 1986  Lights installed. Little Athletics cost $16,000. Little Athletics also built the new Long and Triple Jump Olympic size pits with 70m three lane runups, updated the Discus areas and as well as building the Shot Put area. Cost to Little Athletics and Seniors $35,000. Knox City Council paid for the "Type One" run up topping $20,000.

Knox Park 1991   The Grandstand was constructed to seat 800. Council $300,000. Little Athletics and Seniors $100,000. Little Athletics did all the rooms under the Grandstand and also brought a big enough cable to feed a future development in the front straight. This was at Little Athletics cost. The George Dyer Stand was officially opened on 20th July 1991.

Knox Park 1993/94  Resurfacing the track with "Type One" surface being the same as Olympic Park - a world class type track. Total cost $538,000. Little Athletics, Seniors and COM put in $100,000.

Knox Park Electronic Timing  Little Athletics, and Seniors put in $32,000

Knox Park Commentary Room  Little Athletics built and paid for the Commentary box and computer room under the Grandstand for a cost of $16,000.

Knox Park 1999/2000  The Sails Project was done in conjunction with the Ferntree Gully Rotary Club Branch. Total cost approx. $30,000 with BOM contribution being $5,000.

Knox Park 2003/04  Concrete path was laid at the northern end of track. This was done by BOM for a total cost of $6,000.

Knox Park 2005/06  Pole Vault track was laid. Done in conjunction with Knox Council Total cost approx $30,000.  BOM contribution $10,000. This was the cost of the excavation works & concreting etc for the base on which the Mondo surface was laid.

These figures do not embrace the fully other costs incurred, also the volunteer labour.

We have always put in a share for projects in conjunction with the Knox City Council.

Conservatively Little Athletics, Senior Athletics and Board of Management have put in the very least $318,000. Add to that value the volunteer labour would take that figure to a healthy $600,000.

At Knox we always had a futuristic plan in place. It cannot be stressed enough the great co-operation we had from the Knox City Council, Councillors, Engineers, Parks & Gardens and local Politicians, were always willing to come down to the track to discuss projects.

The original Knox Park Liaison Committee was made up of the Knox Little Athletics Centre, Knox Senior Athletic Club, Ferntree Gully Soccer Club and also the Ferndale Cricket Club.

After 1984, the Committee took on a great role with schools sports hiring the track.

The Canteen for the track hire was run by the Knox Senior Athletic Club in the main.

The Committee also collected fees and negotiated with the Knox City Council.

As funds built up with track hire and fees, the Committee took on costs of equipment, and a generous share of all projects. The change to a "Board of Management" and arranging of 5 year lease tenures with the Knox City Council is very important.

We must strive for continuous improvement. We must make sure we control and manage Knox Park and that we also manage the canteen.

Be aware what has been achieved so far and push onto a greater Knox Park for all to enjoy in the City of Knox.

George Dyer Snr