Moves to have Wairarapa United Central League football side play their home games at Hullena Park in Masterton next season have taken a giant step forward.
Hullena Park is owned by the Masterton AFC, whose members met on Wednesday evening and, according to organiser Gary McLean, were "very positive" towards the
proposal.
"Nothing definite has been put in place yet but, yes, the general feeling was it would be good for football if Central League games were played at our grounds on a regular basis," McLean said.
For that to happen, however, McLean said it would be crucial that changing room amenities at Hullena Park were enhanced so they were suitable for both Central League and Wairarapa inter-club matches.
And also that suitable arrangements could be made with the Masterton District Council over the upkeep of grounds which would be used by Masterton
AFC sides whenever Central League games were hosted at Hullena Park.
"We have to ensure the interests of our own members are well catered for, that's still of paramount importance to us," McLean said. "Right now though we don't see it as being a problem, hopefully everything will fall into place."
Wairarapa United's lack of a suitable home ground for their Central League side has been the subject of considerable debate over the 2009 football season.
They were allocated Pugh Sports Bowl by the Masterton District Council but a lack of preparatory work and then remedial work on the ground there meant just a handful of their home matches were actually played at that venue. The remainder were staged either at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval or Hullena Park
