Switch flicked on floodlit footy training

Pigeon Park oval at Barrack Reserve at Heathcote, now has AFL-standard training lights.

A recent $300,000 upgrade has seen 50 Lux lighting installed across the entire playing surface.

Heathcote Football Netball Club president Rebecca Dickinson said that until recently they were the only club in the Heathcote and District Football Netball League that had non-compliant lights.

“We’re up to that standard now so we can use the whole oval,” she said.

“Conditions on the oval will be much better and we won’t just be sectioned into one small part.

“We can start growing the club in terms of junior participation, we’re even looking at girls’ football down the track, and everyone can train together on one evening.”

Ms Dickinson said the club hoped the improved training facilities would help attract and retain players at all levels.

Heathcote FNC contributed $27,000 to the lighting project.

Ms Dickinson said the money was raised mainly through barbecues, catering and club memberships.

“Pretty much anything we could to make a dollar,” she said.

The remainder of the project was funded by the City of Greater Bendigo with a $138,000 contribution and the Victorian Government who added $135,000 to the project.

The new lights will be officially launched at 6pm on Thursday, 20 April during training at Barrack Reserve.