A $397,000 lighting upgrade at Bell Park Sports Club is complete, allowing the Batesford-based soccer club to increase playing and training opportunities for its growing membership base.
The new state-of-the-art lighting solution offers several advantages over traditional lighting systems, including energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.
It is also set to enhance the experience of current and future players, while improving the safety of spectators, volunteers, members, and the general community.
Funding for the upgrade was provided by Council ($39,500) and the Victorian Government ($357,500) through the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
Mayor Trent Sullivan:
With the new lighting improvements, Bell Park Sports Club can now cater for growth in participation levels and continue to deliver existing programs."The operational and maintenance costs of the sports club will be reduced as a result of the new upgraded LED sports lighting infrastructure.
The new lights were officially opened on Friday 21 July by Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken, Member for Lara Ella George MP and Bell Park Sports Club President Rose Pirrottina.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken:
What perfect timing to be officially celebrating the completion of this project with the FIFA Women's World Cup currently underway on Australian soil.Bell Park Sports Club has been a pioneer in women's and girls' soccer in the Geelong region.
These new LED lights enable the club to maximise the usage of their existing pitches to cater for the explosion of women's sport participation we are experiencing and help develop future Matildas stars.
Ella George MP:
The new lighting opens up more opportunities for sport at Bell Park Sports Club, enabling more people to get active, train or play at any time of the day.Modern facilities like the new lighting at Bell Park mean that the next generation – including women and girls – will have the best possible opportunities to get involved in the sports they love.
Rose Pirrottina:
It's just amazing. This lighting upgrade gives us an opportunity to enjoy our field and club rooms during evening hours.Now we can play night games.
