Communities in the Geelong suburb of Newtown will benefit from improved sporting facilities with light towers installed at the King Lloyd Reserve officially launched today.
Victorian Liberal Senator, Sarah Henderson, said the lighting project, which has delivered six light towers around four rugby fields would extend the playing capacity for local clubs.
“What this means for the community is that they can now play for extended hours on the grounds, including winter evening competitions,” Senator Henderson said.
“The Geelong Touch Association Incorporated, the Newtown City Hockey Club and the Murgheboluc Cricket all use this facility. Now they can play for longer meaning their total membership of about 750 players can be increasingly involved and active,” she said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government’s $269,000 investment in sporting infrastructure would provide long term benefits to the Geelong region.
“In addition to increasing the availability of sporting opportunities, this investment will also produce long-term economic benefits to the region through enabling the grounds to be used at night, with the potential to boost tourism and the night time economy,” Mr McCormack said.
The Greater Geelong Mayor, Stephanie Asher, said the installation of the lights would help the reserve’s tenant clubs cater to their high participation levels.
“King Lloyd Reserve is used for touch football, hockey and cricket, and these clubs will all now have the ability to extend their use of the facility to fit in a growing number of teams and players,” Mayor Asher said.
“The modern LED lighting design delivers on the City of Greater Geelong’s commitment to environmentally sustainable infrastructure.”
This project received $269,000 in funding from the Australian Government under the Building Better Regions Fund. Sport and Recreation Victoria contributed $141,000, the City of Greater Geelong $9,000 and $30,000 was committed by the Geelong Touch Association Incorporated.