Upgraded lighting at HR Uren Recreation Reserve in Thomastown will help boost local soccer participation rates.
City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd joined with Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny MP on 18 July 2024 to officially acknowledge the project's completion.
Funded through a $300,000 grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria, the new LED lights will serve the synthetic pitch on the reserve's western side.
The works, which commenced in February, saw the old lights demolished and replaced with four 25-metre-high light poles containing 100 lux lights.
The old lights utilised obsolete metal halide technology and were not only expensive to maintain but had fallen below the minimum standard required for night matches.
Lalor United Sloga Football Club liaison officer Emil Atanasov said the upgraded lighting had given the club, which is based at the reserve, greater flexibility with its scheduling of matches and training.
He said the new lights would help to attract and retain players whose participation was dependent on being able to plan around other commitments.
"A lot of people, particularly masters [45 years and older] and female players, want to play at night due to work and family commitments and these lights will allow that," he said.
"We're very happy with the support we've received from Council and the State Government to get these new lights installed."
Craig Lloyd said Council was working with the Victorian Government to ensure residents had the facilities they needed to take part in both organised and informal sporting activities.
"Providing quality community sporting facilities is an important part of lifting participation rates and encouraging people to live active, healthy lifestyles," he said.
"We are delighted to have partnered with Sport and Recreation Victoria to install these lights so people have the chance to play the sport they love at a time that's convenient for them."
