MORNINGTON Baseball Club is calling for urgent upgrades to their Wilsons Rd facilities after concerns the lighting has become a safety risk.
The club said multiple lights at the ground are no longer working and sections of the training area are dangerously dark during evening sessions.
The concerns come after the club independently ordered a lux lighting assessment, which found the lighting failed to meet Australian standards for baseball training facilities.
Club president Russell Johnston said the lighting system was installed more than 20 years ago and was never designed to accommodate the size of the club today.
“The numbers of the club are just growing overall,” said Johnston.
“We’ve always had some good numbers, and now we’re basically just outgrowing the facility. The main thing, which is a safety concern for us, is just the standard of lighting.”
The club now has five senior teams, a growing junior program, and over 40 seniors who train regularly on Wednesday nights.
Johnston said the club’s lighting was sourced and installed by members using second hand poles and lights to allow for night training. The club currently has four light towers with only eight functioning globes remaining.
“At the time, about 20 years ago, that was okay. That was suitable,” said Johnston.
“Since the beginning of winter, we’ve been down a couple of lights… any light going into the deep outfield is really non-existent.”
Johnston said the club has been raising concerns with Mornington Peninsula Shire for three or four years.
“It’s something we’ve been requesting and seeking for a long time, and it’s just getting to a point now where it’s just the lights themselves are blown,” said Johnston.
He said replacement globes are becoming increasingly difficult to source due to outdated technology.
“Everything is now LED lighting. The technology is outdated,” said Johnston.
He told The News communication has been open and constant with the council, but they are still waiting on long-term plans for the reserve and the outcome of sporting facility audit discussions that began last year.
Mornington MP Chris Crewther visited the club on 27 May to inspect the lighting and discuss the condition of the facilities.
“[Crewther] certainly recognises that we need funding across the board,” said Johnston, explaining the issues extend beyond just lighting and any lighting upgrades will need to consider an overall upgrade of the facilities.
“Our clubrooms are becoming dated,” said Johnston.
“The building itself, we’re just outgrowing it. We’ve got one basic change room, which is quite small, one internal toilet, one female, one male… we’re outgrowing our batting cage.”
Despite growing frustration among members, Johnston said the club wanted to continue working collaboratively with the shire.
“We’re certainly not out to bombard them or attack them,” said Johnston.
“It’s just it’s becoming unsafe at the end of the day and it’s about finding a solution for that.”
Christian Tatman from the shire’s communications and marketing team supplied the following statement to be attributed to a shire spokesperson: “The shire is aware of the issues concerning the sports field lighting at C B Wilson Reserve and is currently working with the Mornington Baseball Club around future plans and training options going forward.”
First published in the Mornington News – 2 June 2026
