A project to upgrade Spring Creek Reserve change facilities to include female friendly change rooms could receive additional funding with Council endorsing the submission of a grant application to the Australian Football Facilities Fund (AFFF).
Two other projects endorsed for the submission of a grant application to a second fund, the Breaking New Ground Fund (BNGF), include:
- Exploring the potential for new lighting at the Bellbrae Reserve Sports Ground, and
- An open space upgrade at Torquay College.
Both of these grants are part of funding opportunities from the Australian Football League.
"With the growth of female and junior sport in Torquay the pressure is on our sporting grounds, not just for matches but also for training," Surf Coast Shire Cr Rose Hodge said.
"Upgrading these grounds and facilities will allow our sporting teams to have room to train and not be sharing grounds with older teams or training at inconvenient times", she said.
"Providing change facilities that can easily accommodate our female football and cricket players at Spring Creek reserve is a must for our growing town. Being able to enable more females to keep playing sports they love with well-developed facilities ensures the continued growth and success of the Torquay Football, Netball and Cricket clubs".
The AFFF fund provides $50,000 for the project delivery stage of a project. The Spring Creek Reserve Female Friendly Change Facilities Project will upgrade the existing change rooms to include gender neutral shower and toilet cubicles to benefit football and cricket. This project has secured $700,000 from the Australian Government and Council officers have recently applied for an additional $1 million in funding from the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF). If the RCSIF application is successful, Council will submit an application to the AFFF.
The BNFG fund provides $50,000 for planning and up to $250,000 for the project delivery stage. The Bellbrae Reserve Sports Ground has limited use in winter without lights. Upgrading the lighting at this ground will further activate this facility. Community engagement with the Bellbrae community will occur during the planning phase, allowing Council officers to understand any concerns the community may have and discuss options.
Council officers are also investigating an open space project at Torquay College. Discussions will continue with the representatives from the college and the school council. The project scope is still being developed for this project, once approval has been received from Torquay College, a submission will be prepared for the BNFG.
