Lighting Up Sports In The Eastern Suburbs

Community sporting clubs across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs can look forward to training and competing day and night as the Andrews Labor Government provides new lighting at their home grounds.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today joined Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer at Box Hill Gardens to unveil new LED lighting installed at RHL Sparks Reserve, Walker Park, Wembley Park, and Box Hill Gardens thanks to more than $1.23 million from the Labor Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.

Clubs to benefit from the upgrades include Box Hill Rugby Union Football Club and Box Hill City Archers at RHL Sparks Reserve, Mitcham Football Club and Mitcham Junior Football Club at Walker Park and Box Hill United Soccer Club at Wembley Park.

The brighter lighting provides more opportunities for clubs at these venues to schedule after-hours training and development programs, as well as twilight competitions.

The projects employed more than 13 people during the construction phase, creating jobs and supporting the Victorian economy.

The Victorian Budget 2022/23 provides a further $88 million for community sport and active recreation infrastructure programs to boost participation in local sports clubs and organisations.

This brings the Government’s investment in community sport infrastructure to more than $1.6 billion since 2014.

Investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, levelling the playing field and improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.

Minister Spence acknowledged Whitehorse City Council for its contribution of more than $380,000 to the projects.

For more information about sport infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government, visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence

“The new lighting opens up more opportunities for local sport in Box Hill and Mitcham, and will attract more people to get involved.

“We’re investing in upgrades to community sporting grounds because they’re vital for the community and help create local jobs.”

Quote attributable to Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer

“This new lighting means so much for the capacity of local sport, enabling more people to get active, train or play any time of the day.”

Quote attributable to Whitehorse City Council Mayor Tina Liu

“The new lighting opens up more opportunities for local sport and active recreation to accommodate growing community participation.”