On Thursday 3 May, Sarah Henderson MP, Federal Member of Corangamite, joined Councillor Helena Kirby, Mayor and an enthusiastic crowd, to officially open the new lighting facilities at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex.
The project involved the removal of existing infrastructure, supply and installation of floodlights, new light towers, power supply, cabling, underground works and design costs.
The $220,000 lights were funded though the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development – Community Development Grants Programme.
The installation of new lighting infrastructure has further enhanced the Inverleigh Sporting Complex in a number of ways:
- Improved lighting addresses safety issues from the previous lighting, provides a more welcoming environment for participation in evening sport, and contributes to a more quality sporting facility, which is instrumental in attracting new players to the Club and progressing their level of competition.
- The new lights also allow the Club to host night games, which present an exciting opportunity for locals and spectators and often generate more takings at the gate.
- Improved lighting allows the Club to train across the entire oval surface as well; previously, players training in the evening had to avoid certain parts of the oval not covered by the lights.
- The quality of lighting is so good now, it is well above AFL Victoria’s minimum requirement for local facilities.
- This project will also accommodate the population expansion proposed for the region and even allow for evening events to take place on the oval, such as markets and concerts.
- The new lighting will support the Inverleigh Football and Netball Club (and users of the Sporting Complex) to improve its financial sustainability and self-sufficiency, and build the resilience of the Club and the community.
Mayor Kirby, in her speech on the evening, said, “Sporting clubs, like this Club, are such an important part of our communities. They provide an opportunity for people living in rural communities the ability to come together to play a sport they love, which is great for community health and wellbeing, and social connectedness.
“These Clubs also help foster a sense of community pride, as local residents, visitors and Club members get behind and support their teams in a relaxed and friendly environment.
“The Inverleigh Football and Netball Club is such a great sporting club, bringing so much joy to the community, which is why Council is delighted to see this new lighting installed, enabling the Club to deliver even more value to Inverleigh and the Geelong and District Football League.”
“On behalf of Golden Plains Shire Council, I would like to thank Sarah Henderson and the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development for their contribution of $220,000.”