Jane Howlett,Minister for Sport and Recreation
The Tasmanian Government understands that sporting clubs and organisations play an enormously positive role in our community.
After providing significant support to Tasmanian sporting clubs and organisations when competitions were cancelled due to COVID-19, we then turned our attention to a safe return-to-play.
The largest single investment in the 2020-21 State Budget to boost community sport was our $10 million Improving the Playing Field grants program, which will provide support for a range of capital investments by sporting clubs and associations over this year and next.
I am pleased to announce that the first tranche of grants has been assessed by the Division of Sport and Recreation and 31 projects around Tasmania will be supported with $1.2 million for projects with a value of up to $50,000.
As part of the $1.2 million being provided, $515,000 will be made available in the Northern region, and more than $340,000 for projects in each of the North-West and Southern regions of the State.
Among the projects supported include $44,000 to fund drainage works at the Bridport Football Club, a $50,000 upgrade of the Deloraine Pony Club, a $35,000 refurbishment of the Devonport City Soccer Club, $50,000 for a heating system for the Hobart Gymnastics Academy at Bridgewater and $48,000 for improvements to cricket wickets across Hobart.
These projects will not only improve the amenity for participants, officials and spectators, they will also boost the local economy – for the plumbers, builders, electricians and suppliers who will be engaged by the applicants.
The second tranche of grants for larger projects with a value of between $50,000 and $250,000 has now closed for applications and I expect that about $3.8 million will be made available under this tranche.
I look forward to making further announcements in the New Year about more exciting projects that will be funded by this vital program.
