‘Hoppers home ground steps into the spotlight

ANOTHER sports ground in Golden Plains Shire has received a lighting upgrade with work on four towers at Rokewood Recreation Reserve now complete and switched on.

The AFL grade additions to the Rokewood Corindhap Football Club’s home ground mean the ‘Hoppers can now train across the ground when the sun goes down and potentially host CHFL night matches.

Costing just under $285,000 the project was jointly funded by the State government, who chipped in over $169,000, while Golden Plain’s Shire’s contribution was $115,000.

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle visited the club on game day in April last year to announce the money and said it was “fantastic” to see the project completed.

“It’s fantastic to see these lights ready for the return of community sport,” she said.

“An investment in community sport is an investment in community health. This new lighting will give locals the ability to play and train at night, something that will provide long-term health benefits for the community well into the future

“We know how important it is to fund regional sporting facilities, and this funding for Rokewood Recreation Reserve, the only public multi-use facility in Rokewood, will make sport more accessible for all.”

The four light towers were installed by DeAraugo & Lea Electrical Contractors, who have also undertaken other sport and rec reserve lighting upgrades in the Shire recently.

Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey also welcomed the switch on and said when ‘Hoppers and other users of the ground were able to get back to full training and competition, the new lights would be a big benefit.

“When community sport returns, these terrific new lighting towers will make a huge difference for the players and supporters of the Rokewood Corindhap Football Netball Club, as well as visiting teams from the Central Highlands League and Rokewood locals,” he said.

“The Rokewood Recreation Reserve is an important hub for local and community sport and council is pleased to have completed a suite of works here over the past year with the new oval lighting, irrigation works, security lighting and the upgraded cricket wicket.

“Thank you to the Victorian Government for partnering with council to make this important project a reality for our residents in Rokewood and the centre of Golden Plains Shire.”

Other recently completed lighting upgrades in the Shire include both ovals at Bannockburn, Linton’s Rec Reserve and at Inverleigh, while last year’s Federal election saw a commitment from both sides of politics to fund lights for Lethbridge’s junior footy players.