By EMMA SUN
Liberals maintain poll initiative with more cash promises…
FOR years, players using the Olinda Recreation Reserve have had to train in the dark due to a lack of proper lighting.
But that’s set to change with a commitment by Liberal La Trobe candidate Jason Wood to provide $50,000 for new lighting if he is elected in the upcoming Federal election.
The funding will be part of more than $1.8 million given to the Hilltop Recreation Association towards a new community sports pavilion facility for its users, including the Olinda Ferny Creek Football Netball Club and Junior Football Club, Sassafras Ferny Creek Netball Club, Olinda Cricket Club and Kalorama Mount Dandenong Tennis Club.
Hilltop president Steve Scott said it was wonderful to see everything coming together.
“We’re rapt, we’ve raised a heap of money just for the facility as it is and the extra $50,000 will go towards the lighting upgrade,” he said.
“The light’s been there for more than 20 years and they don’t work, we’ve tried replacing globes and tried to upgrade it but it’s gotten to the point where you just can’t see.
“We don’t play night games there and for training on Thursday nights, it’s very difficult.”
The reserve is also home to a leg of the annual Oxfam Trailwalker, where participants from across the state gather for the evening.
“They use the reserve as a base for people to stay and the amount of portable lighting and generators set up is just ridiculous,” Mr Scott said.
Mr Wood said his funding towards the lights is one of the last pieces in the puzzle to develop a real sporting icon for local residents and visitors, as the current state of lighting was almost unusable for evening training sessions.
“I am delighted that this announcement will benefit not only a range of sporting teams but also provide a better experience for participants who use the reserve as a check-in point on the Oxfam walk,” he said.
“I have worked closely with the Hilltop Recreation Association since its inception in 2007 and this announcement further demonstrates our support for local communities.”
The group is working towards making a start on the works to the pavilion which will include upgrading the club’s dilapidated and inadequate clubrooms, change rooms and showers, among adding other facilities.
Mr Scott said he hoped works would begin within the next four months to finally make a mark after seven years of hard work.
“We’re going to have a fantastic set up for the local community so we’re pretty stoked,” he said.
“We’re very hopeful that works will commence this year.”
