Hockey club attempt to save field

Lachlan Wilson, Clinton McKay, Brayden McKay and Shelley McKay help keep water out the recently redeveloped Kalka Shades hockey fields.

Kathryn Greensill Rokhockey-

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ROCKHAMPTON hockey lovers have been working around the clock in a desperate bid to save their $2 million turf field.

The Kalka Shades field has become an island after the six surrounding grass fields and car park were inundated with about a metre of floodwater.

Rockhampton Hockey Association president Darryl Strelow said cement flood barricades that had been included in the 2006 redevelopment were keeping most of the water at bay.

“We’ve got a few leaks here and then so we’re pumping the water back out,” Darryl said.

“We’ve been manning the pumps 24/7 since Saturday.”

Darryl said volunteers were made up mostly of players and parents and had been working in six hour shifts around the clock to ensure water didn’t get on to the turf.

He said that while the turf could handle the water, it was the dirt and rubbish in the water that would cause damage.

“We’ve still got power and water at the moment so we’ve got toilets and we’ve got spotlights so the guys can see what they’re doing at night,” Darryl said.

The water was holding behind the flood barricades but Darryl said if levels surpassed the 9.4 prediction it would cause problems.

“We would need a lot more sandbags to go the whole way around the field if it gets to that,” Darryl said.

While the main clubhouse, turf field and grandstands were yesterday virtually free of water, a massive cleanup will be required for the rest of the fields, car park and smaller club houses.

Anyone who would like to help keep water out of the hockey grounds can contact Darryl on 0409 467 873 or email rockhock@bigpond.net.au.