Football has been given a boost in Bannockburn with the Victorian Government announcing funding to Golden Plains Shire Council to upgrade to facilities at Bannockburn Recreation Reserve.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced $464,535 towards the Bannockburn Soccer Facility Upgrade project from the government’s 2019-20 The World Game Facilities Fund.
The project is one of thirteen to share in $4.9 million in grants from the fund to develop and redevelop grassroots football facilities across the state.
The world game is more popular than ever and with the recent announcement of Australia co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we’re expecting even more Victorians will sign up to play in record numbers.
That’s why the Victorian Government is getting on with supporting clubs like Golden Plains Soccer Club to modernise their facilities, so they can cater for growing demand, especially from women and girls.
The club has seen growing interest in recent years, however the inadequate facilities have stopped the club reaching its potential.
This funding will enable the construction of two new female friendly change rooms, referee change room, first aid room and storage to service the recently constructed second soccer pitch and the installation of 100 lux sports pitch lighting and perimeter fencing.
Supported by a network of community sport infrastructure across Golden Plains Shire, Central Highlands and G21 regions, the project will double the programming capacity at the Bannockburn Recreation Reserve and meet the demands of the Golden Plains Soccer Club and the Golden Plains Navigators Hockey Club.
Since 2018, the initiative has injected approximately $9.9 million to 38 game-changing infrastructure projects across Victoria, with a total project value of $25.5 million. And I am pleased to announce that the 2020-21 World Game Facilities Fund will open in November 2020.
This round of the fund ramps up that effort by providing grants of up to $500,000 to Councils and Alpine Resort Boards to improve facilities in their area including lighting, turf pitch redevelopments, synthetic pitches, and female friendly accessible change rooms.
The fund is part of a more than $915 million government investment in community sport and recreation infrastructure, since 2014.
Ms Tierney acknowledged project partners Golden Plains Shire Council for their commitment and financial contribution to delivering the Bannockburn Soccer Facility Upgrade at Bannockburn Recreation Reserve.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“Football is booming in Victoria and we’re expecting growing numbers of boys and girls, men and women to sign up to play at local clubs, however many clubs are struggling with inadequate facilities.”
“The Victorian Government’s World Game Facilities Fund is getting it done for the Golden Plains Soccer Club, providing more opportunities for passionate football fans to play the sport they love.”
“We’re working hard to encourage and enable all Victorians to embrace a more active and healthy lifestyle.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Golden Plains Shire Council, Cr Owen Sharkey
“A partnership of Council and the Victorian Government established the second pitch at the Bannockburn Soccer Facility last year and we welcome the final piece of funding to deliver the new female friendly change rooms and lighting project.”