Linton rec reserve refresh helping young athletes succeed

THE Linton community is celebrating the completion of upgrades worth $1.4 million at the town’s recreation reserve.

Following 18 months of works to resurface the oval, improve subsurface draining, install an automated irrigation system, new fences, lighting, coaches boxes and goal posts, an official reopening was held last week.

Linton Cricket Club, Carngham Linton Football Netball Club, Linton Primary School, and government representatives were in attendance.

Linton Cricket Club junior coordinator Kirk McDonald said members couldn’t be happier with their new home.

“For the first time in the club’s 160-year history, we’ve won premierships in all available junior grades,” he said.

“There are 40-plus families that use this in cricket season and over 100 families during footy season.

“It’s a great surface. The kids absolutely love it. It will really help us bring in new kids from the community.”

The Federal Government contributed $780,000 from the Investing in Our Communities Program, the State Government chipped in $200,000 and the Golden Plains Shire allocated $445,000.

“I’m so proud to deliver another election commitment from the Albanese Government for our community,” Member for Ballarat and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

“Whether it’s the juniors playing, their parents and carers supporting them or the amazing volunteers working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly, community sport brings people together.

“These facilities are used by the football-netball club, the cricket club and the broader community including Linton Primary school, so the benefits of this upgrade will be felt far and wide.”

Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said the Saints and the cricket club are at the heart of the community.

“This massive oval upgrade is great for players and will encourage even more people to join the fun and get active,” she said. “It’s a boon for this town.”

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Sarah Hayden said the council was proud to have delivered the project with two other tiers of government and community stakeholders.

“This is a fantastic community space; the oval upgrade has enhanced the playing surface and will contribute to local clubs remaining active and creating social connections through sport and recreation,” she said.

The grandstand has also been freshly painted and a new scoreboard is expected to be installed soon.