Energy grant funds new lights

THE Lower South East Hockey Association Incorporated (LSEHA) recently upgraded its synthetic turf field lights from metal halide fittings to light emitting diodes (LEDs) at its hockey facility at Blue Lake Sports Park.

Installation of the new lights was awarded to local firm Stuckey Electrical Contractors with the upgrade supported by a Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant of $50,000 through the South Australian Government’s Business Growth Fund, with LSEHA funding the balance.

LSEHA grants coordinator Jen Peterson said they were extremely pleased to complete the upgrade ready for the 2026 winter season.

“Not only will the lights be brighter with more uniform light levels, we’re expecting a significant reduction in our electricity bills with the switch to more energy-efficient LEDs,” Ms Peterson said. “We’re grateful for the grant funding from the Government of South Australia which helped make an expensive project significantly more affordable.”

The lights are in use seven nights a week from mid-March to September for training and competition, and on winter weekends during the day during low light conditions.

“We’re looking forward to holding higher-grade matches in the evenings now, which we were avoiding prior to the upgrade as light levels were insufficient and causing a safety issue,” Ms Peterson said. “The spectator experience will also be much improved going forward.”

LSEHA is a not-for-profit incorporated association, run by volunteers, with five member clubs with around 500 members in total and runs a winter field hockey competition for seniors and juniors and junior development programs.

Its facilities, on land leased from the City of Mount Gambier, include a synthetic turf field with lights, two natural grass fields and clubrooms in the picturesque Blue Lake Sports Park.

LSEHA is seeking new players of all ages and abilities, juniors and seniors, for its upcoming winter season starting after Easter and if you are interested further information is available by emailing [email protected]

The Small Business Energy Efficiency Grants supported eligible South Australian small businesses and not-for-profit organisations to invest in energy efficient equipment or improvements to reduce and manage energy use and costs.