First touch: State funds to help build FC Leopold’s clubrooms

FC LEOPOLD will have more room to move with a $250,000 Labor Government grant to help the soccer club build a home at Estuary Reserve.

The funding will enable the design and construction of a multi-use pavilion including female-friendly change rooms, amenities, social space, kitchen, storage and office space.

Member for Western Victoria and duty Bellarine MP Gayle Tierney announced the grant from Labor’s 2020-21 World Game Facilities Fund last week.

FC Leopold has seen growing membership since its formation in 2016, but the lack of pavilion facilities and amenities have stopped the club reaching its full potential.

Ms Tierney acknowledged project partners the City of Greater Geelong for their commitment and financial contribution to delivering the $1.57 million project at Estuary Reserve.

“We’re providing the facilities that will encourage boys and girls – and people of all ages – to get out there, join a local club and enjoy all the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

“The World Game Facilities Fund is getting it done for the FC Leopold providing more opportunities for passionate football fans to play the sport they love.”

The new clubrooms are Labor’s latest investment at Estuary Reserve, following a $225,000 oval lighting installation in 2018.

Corio Soccer Club, based at Hume Reserve, will also receive a grant to help install female-friendly pavilion upgrades.

“We are delighted to see the pavilion project progressing and extremely thankful for the support of our local member John Eren and the Victorian Government,” Corio Soccer Club president Mario Gregorio said.

The grants will help football clubs retain players and attract new participants with new facilities replacing ageing infrastructure.

The program provides grants of up to $500,000 to local government authorities and alpine resort boards to deliver shovel-ready projects including sports lighting, turf pitch developments, synthetic pitches and female-friendly change rooms.

Since 2018, the initiative has invested $9.9 million into 38 infrastructure projects across Victoria, with a total project value of $25.5 million.

The next round of the World Game Facilities Fund will open for applications in August. For more information, head to the Sport and Recreation Victoria website.