Bellarine clubs to benefit from oval and lighting upgrade

THE Bellarine Sharks Football Club and St Leonards Cricket Club can look forward to playing under bright lights and on a new oval surface at St Leonards Lake Reserve, thanks to the Victorian government.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville was joined by Greater Geelong Deputy Mayor, Cr Trent Sullivan, councillors Jim Mason and Stephanie Asher as well as members of both clubs to officially launch the new lights and oval upgrades at St Leonards Lake Reserve.

Up until recently, the growing numbers of players at the Bellarine Sharks Football Club and St Leonards Cricket Club were limited in their ability to train due to an unreliable oval surface and lack of lighting.

Courtesy of the Victorian government, both a lighting grant of 150 lux LED lights and an additional $97,000 for oval irrigation and resurface works via the Community Cricket Program will allow the club and its players to thrive into the future.

Both grants have given local cricketers and footballers more opportunities to use the ground for training, night fixtures and competitions.

“For too long clubs like the Sharks and St Leonards Cricket Club have been left in the dark due to outdated lighting infrastructure and a poor playing surface – they deserve appropriate facilities they can be proud of,” Ms Neville said.

“The new sports lighting and surface upgrade at St Leonards Lakes Reserve provides a real incentive for more people to get involved in community sport.

“Better sport and recreation facilities make it easier for Victorians to get back to local sport and recreation and lead healthy and active lifestyles.”

Ms Neville acknowledged the Greater Geelong City Council for its commitment and financial contribution to the lighting and oval projects.