Macedon Ranges Shire Council welcomed the announcement of $209,520 from the Victorian Government's 2021 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund to upgrade the lighting at Lancefield Park.
Council acknowledges the significant funding contribution by the junior and senior Lancefield Football Netball clubs of $50,000 with the support of the Lancefield Park Committee. When combined with the State Government's $209,520 and Council's $64,000 contributions, a total of $323,520 goes towards improved lighting.
This project upgrades the sports ground lighting at Lancefield Park, replacing the old lighting system with new environmentally friendly light towers. The new floodlights are LED and provide sports ground lighting to the Australian Standard.
The Lancefield Park Oval Lighting Project will provide many benefits to user groups and the wider community, in particular:
- enable increased participation - improved lighting will enable increased usage and help attract additional membership
- provide opportunities for night games to be scheduled
- provide opportunities for schools and community groups to hold twilight and evening functions safely
- the existing Lancefield Show and Relay for Life events are already successful; however, improved lighting will provide the opportunity for these community events to be further enhanced and potentially expanded
- major events are important economic drivers for communities. Appropriate lighting will enable Lancefield Park to cater to these events now and into the future, assisting with the long-term sustainability of user groups and the broader Lancefield community.
- reduce the amount of electricity required to light the oval when in use.
Over recent years, Council has been undertaking a program to upgrade lighting at all major outdoor sporting reserves across the shire. Lancefield is the latest beneficiary of this program.
Cr Bill West attended the recent funding announcement with The Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Regional Development and Member for Macedon and local club representatives Gina Morgan, Bill Balcam and Bill's grandson Hayden Balcam.
Cr West thanked the Victorian Government for this funding contribution, which ensures players will be able to play and train safely at night.
Councillor West also acknowledged the dedicated fundraising efforts of the local clubs and the work of Lancefield Park Committee.
"Not only will new lighting benefit our football players, but better lighting opens up the possibility of outdoor evening events for the whole community," said Cr West.
