New greens for bowlers
Sunnyside Horsham Sporting Club leaders have welcomed a $250,000 State Government boost to upgrade two bowling greens to future-proof the club.
Chairman John Ackland said club members were thrilled to receive such a significant amount of money to upgrade a regional community asset.
“We’ve been looking to upgrade our greens for several years and have been working hard on funding applications, with support from Horsham Rural City Council,” he said.
“We are very appreciative of the council’s efforts to help us attract this funding.”
Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford last week announced Horsham Rural City Council, in partnership with the Sunnyside club, was among 10 successful western Victorian applicants under the Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The council will oversee the upgrade of two bowling greens, from grass to synthetic surfaces.
Mr Ackland said synthetic greens were less labour intensive and boasted better availability for players.
“Grass greens require a lot of maintenance and there are times people cannot play on them, because they are being watered, treated, cored or scarified,” he said.
“We have a tremendous group of volunteers but they are ageing and this will free them up to spend more time playing than working on the greens. Synthetic surfaces require less upkeep so they will also be more available for social bowlers. Synthetic is the optimal playing surface.”
Planning process
Mr Ackland said the grant money would become available in 2019 and club members would work with council staff to plan for the project.
“We will use the rest of the year to plan and put our processes in place,” he said.
Ms Pulford said regional sports clubs, such as Sunnyside Horsham, were the lifeblood of communities and users deserved modern, accessible and safe facilities. “Congratulations to Horsham Rural City Council and Sunnyside Horsham Sporting Club. This funding will go a long way to supporting the growing number of people in Horsham keen to get involved in local sport and recreation,” she said.
“This grant is a great example of how we’re making sport and recreation more accessible, welcoming and inclusive for all Victorians. It’s about giving local communities the facilities they need so more locals can play the sports they love.”
The Community Sports Infrastructure Fund is developing new sport and active recreation facilities and rejuvenating tired grounds and ageing clubrooms across the state.