The Caboolture Sports Dog Obedience Club has been left high and dry in the best possible way, with their new indoor arena already paying dividends.
Councillor Adam Hain was on hand recently for the opening ceremony of the $1.2 million purpose-built facility at Devine Court, named after club legend, Des Strong.
“Des became a member in 1990, hounded the Council to get the grounds at Devine Court in 2000, and was the driving force behind these new premises,” Admin Officer Tracy Dreyer said.
“The idea for this arena was conceived about 23 years ago when we were still training at Grant Road, and over many years we have saved membership and training fees, as well as our monthly grant from the Caboolture Sports Club to fund this project.
“There have been many people instrumental in getting this off the ground, including Tony Clarke from the Sports Club, the previous and current committee, and the working committee for the new complex of Des, Chris Pain and Lynn Pain.”
Starting in 1980 as the Murrumba Dog Obedience Club with just 20 members, it had bases in Redcliffe and Caboolture before merging into one and training at the Apex Park football fields, then later at the Caboolture Showgrounds.
In 1994 it moved to Grant Road in Morayfield and joined with cricket, football, rugby union, touch football and softball to form the Caboolture Sports Club, before finding a permanent home at Devine Court in 2001.
Now a highly successful club in obedience and agility trials, having been awarded the prestigious Norm Claridge Shield for best trialling club in South East Queensland, it also caters for members of the public looking for dog training from basic level up to advanced, as well as conducting free demonstrations at local events like school fetes and pet fairs.
“The new arena is hugely beneficial as we have lost so many training nights in the past due to wet weather, but now because we have such a big undercover area to work in, we don’t have to cancel them,” Dreyer said.
“It’s generated a lot of buzz around the club, and that was really highlighted when we had an Obedience Trial recently that would’ve been cancelled if we were on our old field, but it went ahead because of the roof.”
Training is held every week throughout the year, with obedience on Monday nights, trial practice Wednesday nights, and agility Thursday nights, with the skills learned being put to the test in regular competitions.
Classes are run by volunteers, with a $60.00 membership fee covering the first eight weeks of training, as well as complimentary membership to the Caboolture Sports Club.
The club welcomes new dogs on the first Monday of every month, and encourages anyone interested in joining to visit www.caboolturedogobedience.com.au or email admin@caboolturedogobedience.com.au.