THREE new soccer pitches at Wendouree West Recreation Reserve were officially handed over to Forest Rangers Football Club last week.<\/p>\n
The playing surfaces are part of a multimillion-dollar overhaul of the rec reserve, and club secretary Marilyn Tyndall said they were already paying dividends on and off the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis opportunity has helped our club enormously,\u201d she said. \u201cThe number of players that we have got, we\u2019ve probably got to an extra 30 or 40 players this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur club has been embedded in the community of Wendouree West for over 50 years, providing the opportunity for our local community members to be part of something bigger than themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wendouree West Recreation Reserve was the site for the launch of local member Juliana Addison\u2019s 2018 election campaign, and said the Forrest Rangers held a special place for her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a passion project for me,\u201d she said. \u201cToday\u2019s about a realisation of something that I\u2019m incredibly proud of, but what the Forrest Rangers have waited for for 40 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cForrest Rangers are such a proud club that\u2019s just got the most amazing heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Costing $1.5 million, the works were funded by the State Government and completed by the City of Ballarat. They included turf, drainage works and new coaches\u2019 boxes.<\/p>\n
Upgrades at the rec reserve aren\u2019t over yet, with a total of $7 million being spent at the site.<\/p>\n
Further works include the construction of new club rooms, field lighting, the completion of a synthetic cricket pitch, revamped skate park and dirt bike jumps and new spaces for other community groups.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis stage is one,\u201d Ms Addison said. \u201cThere\u2019s more good news with the new facilities that are on the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cA new female friendly pavilion for local football and cricket, as well as spaces for the Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre, the YMCA youth programs, and a community kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THREE new soccer pitches at Wendouree West Recreation Reserve were officially handed over to Forest Rangers Football Club last week. The playing surfaces are part of a multimillion-dollar overhaul of the rec reserve, and club secretary Marilyn Tyndall said they were already paying dividends on and off the field. \u201cThis opportunity has helped our club […]<\/p>\n