Play ball: Lights on at new Drysdale sports precinct

DRYSDALE’S new multi-sport precinct is leading the way with its state-of-the-art LED lighting system.

The precinct officially opened at the weekend and is the first community sports oval in the region to use the system, which lights both the AFL oval and multi-purpose field.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville and City of Greater Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood joined sports players and supporters on Saturday for the big unveil of Stage 1.

Cr Harwood said the completion of stage one was a great result for Drysdale sporting clubs, which were continuing to expand along with the area’s growing population.

“Local Australian football, cricket and soccer players now have a state-of-the-art facility for training and matches.

“This will greatly assist the large band of volunteers in making the Drysdale sporting community even stronger.

“It’s part of the council’s commitment to supporting grassroots sport, which we believe is so important to the wellbeing of the community.”

The precinct will support a number of local clubs’ activities, including the Drysdale Football and Netball Club, Drysdale Cricket Club and Drysdale Soccer Club.

The facilities will also be available to local schools.

In a major boost for sport in Drysdale and on the Bellarine, the $6.726 million first stage of the project includes an AFL/cricket oval and a multi-use field with two soccer pitches, cricket practice nets and practice wickets.

The site, which can be entered from Belchers Road, also features a new pavilion with community social space, kitchen, change rooms, kiosk and storage rooms.

The LED lighting system improves efficiency by distributing light exactly where it needs to go.

It is better controlled, lowers glare and spills less light into surrounding areas, plus it is also cheaper to run and better for the environment, reducing greenhouse gases and using about 60 per cent less energy than traditional sports lighting.

Construction of the first stage of the precinct was funded by the City of Greater Geelong ($3.226 million) and the state government ($3.5 million).