Council extends its support of Kingston's community sporting clubs to help them bounce back
Kingston's summer sporting clubs will be able to breathe a little easier this season, after Council approved an extension of the waiver of seasonal pavilion fees until 31 March 2021.
In March this year, as part of its community economic support package in response to the impact of COVID-19, Council temporarily waived rents for community and sporting clubs and winter club seasonal sports fields and pavilion fees.
In recognition of the ongoing challenges and restrictions facing clubs, the waiver of pavilion facilities fees has been extended for the remainder of the 2020/21 Summer season until the end of March.
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said with no sport allowed for much of this year due to lockdowns there has been a big financial impact on many of our local clubs and challenges still lie ahead for clubs.
"It's fantastic to see Kingston's sports grounds again hosting junior and senior community sport and just in time for the summer sports' season, but the road to recovery for many clubs will be long," said Cr Staikos. "While our Summer sports clubs now have full use of sports fields there remains limited access to pavilion facilities due to physical distancing requirements, that's why we have decided to extend the fee relief on pavilion facilities."
"Council wants to do whatever it can to keep our sports clubs viable and ensure that our young people continue to have an opportunity to play sport in Kingston."
Seasonal fees for sport fields usage will be charged for the remainder of the summer season, from 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021.
Council is also looking at setting up community-based mental health workshops for sporting clubs and community organisations to access.
"It's important we continue to provide financial support to our community as we recover from COVID-19, but it is just as crucial that we pay attention to the health and wellbeing of our community," Cr Staikos said.
"We have seen an increase in mental health issues in the community and we want to look at how we can help people access professional help."
Initially the workshops would be run as a trail and then, if successful, would be rolled out across Kingston.
