Port scoreboard gets bipartisan support

A NEW and improved scoreboard at the Portarlington Recreation Reserve has bipartisan support, with the two major parties each pledging $60,000 towards the project.

Both commitments towards the electronic scoreboard were made last week.

Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said Labor’s $60,000 pledge was part of an overall $600,000 commitment for the reserve that would also support new sports lights and upgraded facilities.

“I recognise there is a lot to do to implement the Portarlington Recreation Reserve Masterplan, and hopefully this funding will kickstart contributions from all levels of government,” Ms Coker said.

“Increased participation in all areas of the Portarlington club means we have to invest in modernised facilities generally, to meet community and player expectations and needs.
“The funding contribution towards sports lighting will open up more space and times for training and night matches. This is especially so for winter sports, where you have very limited use of grounds for training if you don’t have lights.

“The Portarlington Recreation Reserve has long needed a state-of-the art scoreboard for its main oval. This will now be possible under Labor.”

Ms Asher said her commitment was “a real win for local families and the broader community and means better facilities for local sporting clubs across the Bellarine”.

“Growing local sporting clubs and community organisations deserve facilities that can keep pace with their needs.

“This commitment is just another way my strong plan for Corangamite will keep local communities active and connected.”

Ms Asher joined Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson and City of Greater Geelong deputy mayor Trent Sullivan at the reserve on Thursday last week to officially switch on a $250,000 lighting upgrade pledged ahead of the 2019 federal election by Senator Henderson while she was then the Liberal member for Corangamite.