City seeks grant to improve Burdoo Reserve

THE City of Greater Geelong will apply to the state government for a $100,000 grant to help fund an upgrade of Burdoo Reserve.

The grant could pave the way for new modern, unisex change facilities for the 500-plus participants in the football, netball and cricket clubs, including a growing base of female footballers.

Grants are available through the Country Football and Netball Funding Program (CFNP), which aims to improve facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan areas.

Five local clubs expressed interest to the council in applying for grants as part of the latest round of funding.

The Burdoo Reserve application was deemed to have the greatest community benefit and chance of success.

Grovedale Football Club has expanded to include four women’s teams in 2018, and the club lacks suitable change facilities to meet this growth.

The estimated total cost of the project is $390,000, with the council to allocate $260,000 in its next budget if the application for a government grant is successful, and the club to contribute the remaining $30,000.

During the past five years, four reserves in Geelong have received partial funding for changeroom upgrades under the CFNP: Leopold Memorial Reserve (2014/15), Anakie Reserve (2016/17), Winter Reserve in Belmont (2017/18) and Richmond Crescent Reserve in South Geelong (2018/19, round one).

“Burdoo Reserve’s changerooms have been identified under the G21 and AFL Barwon Regional Strategy as a priority for upgrade as they will bring great benefit to the community,” city mayor Bruce Harwood said.

“A CFNP grant from the state, along with Council funding, would help deliver a change facility that meets the AFL’s guidelines for unisex use.”