Even more Colac and District sports clubs can look forward to playing day and night with the completion of upgraded oval lighting at Gellibrand, Irrewillipe, Alvie, Birregurra and Warrowie Recreation Reserves made possible by the Victorian Government.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today joined Colac Otway Shire Mayor, Cr Chris Potter and members of the Alvie Swans, Irrewillipe Western Eagles and Birregurra Saints football and netball clubs at their home grounds to officially flick the switch on the new lights, backed by a funding package of more than $1.7 million from the Victorian Government.
Sport is the lifeblood of regional communities like those in the Colac Otway Shire, and up until recently these clubs were limited in their ability to train late because the old light towers only lit a small portion of their ovals.
There’s now new 150-lux LED lighting illuminating the grounds, providing home clubs with more opportunities to use the whole oval well into the evening.
These upgrades bring the lighting at these grounds up to local Colac and District league competition standards, allowing safe night-time use, helping the clubs to establish women’s teams and host future night-time matches.
More than $1.4 million from the Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program went towards the Gellibrand, Irrewillipe, Alvie, and Irrewarra lighting projects, and an additional $205,026 was kicked in from the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund for the Birregurra lighting upgrade.
It’s part of the more than $1.6 billion invested by the Victoria Government in community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014.
Investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, levelling the playing field and fast-tracking community projects by improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.
Ms Tierney acknowledged Colac Otway Shire Council for its commitment and more than $230,000 financial contribution to the upgrades, as well as the Birregurra Football Netball Club’s contribution of more than $38,000 towards their project.
For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government visit sport.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“For too long clubs like these have been left in the dark due to outdated lighting – they deserve a venue they can play and train on day and night.”
“The new sports lighting at the reserves provide an opportunity for local clubs to use more of their oval, increase membership and get more locals involved – especially juniors, women and girls.”
Quotes attributable to President of Birregurra Football and Netball Club Mick Paddick
“The lighting upgrade is just what the club needs to support our players and keep improving their performance, while also encouraging new people to train at the club. We thank the Victorian Government for their support.”