The Kingston Council has successfully secured funding from Victoria’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund to help upgrade local sports facilities in Chelsea, Carrum and Bonbeach.
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said the funding was welcome news as it would allow the Council to push ahead with some important upgrades to local community sports facilities.
The Council has been given a total of $675,000 for four new projects in the region. The funding will see the creation of new outdoor netball facilities in Carrum, upgrades to Chelsea Bowls Club, safety fencing at Bonbeach Sports Reserve and improvements to change facilities for women and girls playing sports.
“Council has been working closely with the football, netball and cricket clubs on a $455,000 upgrade to the pavilion amenities at Chelsea Recreation Reserve which will see the change rooms refurbished into a modern female-friendly facility,” Longbeach Ward Councillor Georgina Oxley said as she welcomed the funding boost.
“The $155,000 State funding contribution towards this project will help us complete those important works to ensure women and girls have equal access to our sports facilities.”
Banksia Ward Councillor Cameron Howe said the $345,000 contribution towards new netball facilities at Roy Dore Reserve in Carrum was exciting news.
“In 2023, the $9.1 million redevelopments of Roy Dore Reserve will be complete, with additional funding sought and approved for two standalone netball courts to be built in 2022,” Councillor Howe said.
“Our vision is to create a sporting precinct in the heart of Carrum that meets the needs of all users whether they play football, cricket, tennis or netball.”
The grant funding will also support upgrades to the Chelsea Bowls Club’s existing sports lights to provide a superior lighting solution for their night-time pennant competition. The current synthetic green surface, which is at the end of its useful life, will also be replaced.
Bonbeach Sports Reserve will also get some upgrades with new ball protection fencing to be installed to address safety concerns at the oval and some upgrades to other equipment.
“Council is investing millions of dollars in upgrading ageing sports facilities to support local sports clubs as they work to promote active, healthy lifestyles in our community,” Councillor Staikos said.
The Kingston Council welcomes any support from the Victorian Government in funding vital community facility upgrades.
Source: Kingston Council Media Release. Content has been edited for style and length.