By Parker McKenzie
Boronia Bowls Club has received funding from state and local government to build new lighting at their home ground, a move their president called a “massive step forward”.
On Saturday 4 July, Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor announced the Victorian State Government would contribute $60,000 towards LED lighting for the club’s greens. Knox City Council and Boronia Bowls Club will each contribute $30,000 to the project.
Boronia Bowls Club President Mike Gage said a large number of the club’s members turned up for the announcement over the weekend.
“We’re extremely grateful to the Victorian State Government and to Knox Council for agreeing to and allowing this to happen,” he said.
“There’s been a colossal amount of work internally by our club committee to help make this happen.”
The project consists of new competition-grade 100 lux LED lights on both of the club’s greens, with the state government contribution being funded through the 2021-22 local sports infrastructure fund.
Mr Taylor said he is “stoked that the State Government is backing in a ripper local club like Boronia Bowls Club with funds to see new and much-needed light.”
“They’re a great community-focussed club and I know this means a lot to them and the whole community.”
“Sport and active recreation is the heart and soul of our community – and I’m proud to be a part of a government that’s backing clubs in with even more funding so they can focus on doing what they do best.”
Boronia Bowls Club’s facilities — located at 5 Marie Street, Boronia — have been their home ground since it formed in 1952.
The Victorian State Government said it has invested $1.2 billion into community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014.
Mr Gage said the club wouldn’t be able to afford the expenditure for the project without the contributions.
“We’ve got very aged lighting. It’s very inefficient and pretty much on its last legs now,” he said.
“We can double the capacity of the players that can play when the when the sun’s down and we need to turn the lights on.”
Applications for a share of $30 million through the 2022 local sports infrastructure are now open. Interested clubs should contact their local councils for assistance through the application process and can find out more information at sports.vic.gov.au.
