Sport, recreation, and leisure is a key focus area for the
council.
The physical, mental and social benefits of being involved in
organised sports or recreational activities are well known.
It has been great to see a raft of new Council-delivered
projects open to clubs and their members in recent weeks.
The projects all focus on supporting an increase active living;
improving residents mental well being; and helping people become
better connected to each other and their local communities.
They are also aimed at increasing participation, and allowing
our community and volunteer-run groups to prosper and grow.
At Shell Reserve in Corio, multi-stage upgrades have focused on
delivering fit-for-purpose facilities that will promote growth
across a range of sports.
The gender-neutral and accessible facilities will allow Corio
Community Sports Club to run all-abilities programs and support
more girls and women to play football, netball, and cricket.
The existing changerooms were demolished to make way for new
facilities, which were officially opened at the Purnell Road
precinct earlier this month.
Council proudly contributed $3.081 million to the project, with
the Victorian government $500,000 through a Local Infrastructure
Fund Female Friendly Facilities stream.
The construction of the modern, fit-for-purpose changerooms
follows the installation of two new netball courts and new cricket
nets last year.
Further north, Council also recently officially opened a key
element of the Lara Recreation Reserve Master Plan upgrade.
A new, accessible, multi-sport and gender-neutral pavilion,
adjoining two new netball and two redeveloped tennis courts, is the
centrepiece of the project.
In addition, LED sports lighting was installed to all netball
and tennis courts, and new pedestrian areas were created.
The developments is thanks to a $2.35 million investment from
Council, with the Victorian government providing a further
$400,000.
The existing Lara Tennis Club building will continue to be of
use, with plans for it be refurbished and used as storage
space.
LED sports lighting is also benefiting Geelong Amateur
footballers, with both ovals at their Queens Park base both
receiving the new infrastructure.
Having been at the forefront of growing womens football in the
region, Geelong Amateur now has the ability to host night matches
and have more of its men, women, and juniors train into the
evening.
Council invested $600,000 into the initiative, with the club
contributing $30,000.
There is a lot more to look forward to, with projects to support
bowls, tennis, basketball, cricket, and skaters set to be completed
in the coming months.
Further investment will be confirmed once council endorses its
budget next week.
The proposed budget, which has been out for public feedback,
contains a total of $195.9 million for capital.........