Sports lighting upgrades continue across the City

HIGH-quality sporting lights have been delivered to two clubs across the Geelong as part of the Victorian government’s $2.5million Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.

The Belmont Lions Football Netball Club’s home base at Winter Reserve and the Grovedale Tigers’ Burdoo Reserve were the two latest sites to benefit from the state government sports lighting funding, which the City of Greater Geelong committed 10 per cent towards, enabling both clubs to increase their sporting offering across the community.

On Thursday night, the lighting at Winter Reserve was officially switched on by Member for Geelong Christine Couzens, Kardinia Ward councilor Ron Nelson and Belmont Lions president Mark Edwards.

Cr Nelson said the Winter Reserve lighting upgrade would aid the Geelong and District Football Netball League club in attracting and keeping players.

“The updated lighting will be particularly appealing to the young boys and girls from Wangala Primary School across the road as the club seeks to build its junior program,” Cr Nelson said.

“The developments at Winter Reserve will really open up opportunities to extend training and playing time, while being a source of attraction to prospective new players.”

Lights were officially turned on at Burdoo Reserve by South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman, Kardinia Ward councilor Belinda Moloney and Grovedale Tigers co-president Simon Hose.

Cr Moloney said the new floodlighting was a boost to Grovedale as it serves the Grovedale-Armstrong Creek growth corridor.

“Grovedale has 600 players taking to the field or court each week and this project provides support to all participants in their quest to remain active,” Cr Moloney said.

“The Tigers have had a thriving female football program since 2018 and additions of this nature will certainly increase opportunities for playing and training.

“The project also supports the club with the ability to have Friday night Auskick and be flexible with scheduling to support its growing number of teams.”

St Albans Recreation Reserve in Thomson, Osborne Park in North Geelong, Grinter Reserve in Newcomb, Evans Reserve in Norlane, and St Leonards Lake Reserve in St Leonards are all facilities that have also benefitted from the sports lighting initiative.