Game on at new cricket facility

NEW cricket nets at Lethbridge Recreation Reserve were officially unveiled last week.

Jointly funded by the State Government, Golden Plains Shire and the Lethbridge Cricket Club, Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said the collaborative effort reflects the importance of regional communities, with sporting clubs serving as “the heart” of any local town.

“We don’t care where you live in this area, you deserve the same facilities as anyone in the bigger urban areas and I think that’s a commitment we all share,” she said.

“These cricket nets are going to be a great asset. I’m counting on the next Meg Lanning to come out of here.”

At an overall cost of $170,000, the State Government put in $100,000, $50,000 came from the Shire, and $20,000 via the local Club.

With the nets seeing use since Christmas, mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the upgrades are a latest in a long line of expansions for the community.

“The new cricket training facility compliments an impressive list of projects that have been delivered at Lethbridge Recreation Reserve over the past two years,” he said.

Secretary of the Lethbridge Cricket Club, Damian Harwood, said the location makes them another great addition for the local players.

“Everyone’s absolutely wrapped about it. It’s centralised us,” he said.

“It’s in between our two ovals whereas our previous one was up at the entrance and away from everyone else, and segregated.

“Now, we can have everyone in the same vicinity and foster that sense of community that brings everyone together.”

The club has been running since 1879, and Mr Harwood said he hopes the upgrades will see centuries of further growth.