It was a mild May morning in Bannockburn and the rain held off for a special event on Saturday 25 May: the official opening of two new competition netball courts and the multi-sport court at Victoria Park.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey and Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney MP were joined by Bannockburn Football Netball Club (BFN) Secretary Kath Bourke and an enthusiastic group of players and club members to celebrate the impressive new facilities at the Tigers’ home ground, prior to the club’s senior home games.
The significant upgrade at Victoria Park includes two competition netball courts with lighting and fencing; a new multi-sport court with futsal goals, basketball and netball rings; and undercover benches for players and officials.
The project was funded by $400,000 from Golden Plains Shire Council and a $100,000 Community Sports Infrastructure Fund grant from the State Government.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said the new courts are a valuable asset for the Bannockburn Football Netball Club and the upgrade will benefit the whole Bannockburn and Golden Plains Shire communities.
“These first-class netball courts are fantastic for the current Bannockburn Football Netball Club players and will also inspire younger players and new club members to participate in local netball. Council is committed to delivering top quality community recreation facilities and we thank the State Government for supporting this great project.
“The upgrade is an impressive addition to the Victoria Park precinct, delivering a brand new community asset: the multi-sport court area. In the past few weeks, the multi-sport court has proven to be a popular destination with many reports of families playing basketball and soccer here, as well as enjoying the playground and oval.”
Pictured above: Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey, Gayle Tierney MP, Bannockburn FNC Executive Member Michelle Giles, Club Secretary Kath Bourke, and Club President Neil Grinter.