The ovals at Victoria Park in Bannockburn are an impressive sight with the new lighting towers completed and switched on, ready for the return of local community sport.
Council welcomes the completion of the Victoria Park Recreation Reserve Sports Lighting project in Bannockburn, which was fully funded by the Federal Government’s Community Sport Infrastructure grant program.
The project delivered upgraded lighting on Oval 1 and four new lighting poles on Oval 2 at Victoria Park, for training and night matches of the Bannockburn Football and Netball Club. The lighting upgrade at Victoria Park was identified as a priority in Council’s Recreation Strategy 2015-2019 and the G21 AFL Barwon Regional Strategy with the former oval lighting listed among the poorest in the region.
The new lighting on both ovals meets the AFL standard for community football and surpasses the minimum requirements for local football training and matches. At Victoria Park, the lighting upgrade complements the redeveloped cricket training facility and the new netball and multi-sport courts at the Reserve.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says Council is pleased the new lighting will be ready for the return of community sport and recreation in Golden Plains Shire.
“The new oval lighting at Victoria Park has made a massive improvement to this popular community sports facility and we thank the Federal Government for fully funding this significant infrastructure project.
“Unfortunately, there’s no opening celebration or team running out for their first night match, right now, but we look forward to when community sport returns to Victoria Park and all the ovals across Golden Plains Shire.
“The new lighting will improve team training and offer new opportunities for night matches for the Bannockburn Football and Netball Club, as well as local opposing teams. When the lights are switched on, there is also increased opportunity for active recreation as the Victoria Park is a very popular location for walkers and runners.”
In the past few years, Golden Plains Shire Council has actively lobbied for sports lighting funding across the Shire and this year, Council is partnering with the State Government to deliver the new lights at Rokewood Recreation Reserve. In 2019, the lighting upgrade at the Linton Recreation Reserve was completed and the Federal Government made a commitment for the installation of lights at Lethbridge Recreation Reserve. In Inverleigh, local sporting clubs have been enjoying the new lights at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex since early 2018.
Photo courtesy of DeAraugo & Lea Electrical Contractors (VIC) Pty Ltd