It was a cold, grey winter afternoon but the oval of the Linton Recreation Reserve lit up as bright as a summer’s day when the new lighting upgrade was officially opened on Saturday 1 June.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle MP officially opened the lighting upgrade at the Linton Recreation Reserve on Saturday, joined by Carngham Linton Football Netball Club Secretary Michael O’Beirne; Golden Plains Shire Deputy Mayor Cr Joanne Gilbert, and Crs Des Phelan and Helena Kirby; Council CEO Eric Braslis, and an enthusiastic group of players and club members, following the club’s senior home football game.
The four new towers now light up the oval at Linton Recreation Reserve to AFL local football standard for players, official and spectators of the Carngham Linton Football Netball Club, as well as visiting teams. The project was funded by a $255,000 State Government grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Delivery of the upgrade at Linton is the latest completed lighting project in Golden Plains Shire. Tenders for the new lights on both ovals at the Victoria Park Recreation Reserve in Bannockburn, to be funded by a $500,000 Federal Government grant, are now open. Last month, the Federal Government made a commitment for the installation of lights at Lethbridge Recreation Reserve; and the State Government announced its partnership with Council to deliver a light upgrade at Rokewood Recreation Reserve. In Inverleigh, local sporting clubs have been enjoying the new lights at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex since early last year.
Mayor Sharkey said that the opening of the lighting upgrade at Linton capped off an exciting weekend in the north of the Shire, following the unveiling of the new female friendly change rooms at the Linton Recreation Reserve on the same day and the official opening of the redeveloped Smythesdale Skate Park on Friday 31 May.
“Council has worked closely with the Carngham Linton Football Netball Club on the delivery of this lighting project and we’ve received very positive feedback on the new lights. The club’s local football and netball teams have enjoyed night training and we’re sure that playing games for the local crowd under the big lights will be a memorable experience.
“In just a couple of years, Council will deliver lighting upgrades at the primary sporting and recreational facilities in Linton, Inverleigh, Bannockburn, Rokewood and Lethbridge. This is an impressive wish list that became a reality due to Council’s hard work lobbying and securing significant funding partnerships with State and Federal Governments, who we thank for their investment in our townships.
“Along with the lighting upgrade, Council also officially opened the new female friendly change rooms here at Linton Recreation Reserve today. These two upgrades will be used and valued by both the junior and senior players of the Carngham Linton Football and Netball Club, as well as visiting teams from across Golden Plains Shire, for many successful seasons to come.”