TWO sporting clubs in Kilmore and Wallan have been buoyed by big funding boosts as part of the Victorian Budget.
Kilmore Cricket Club and Wallan Bowls Club will both undergo significant changes to their facilities in the later half of the year.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes met with committee members from the Kilmore Cricket Club to announce a $250,000 cash injection a few weeks ago, which the club says will address a “dire need” to fix their ageing practice nets.
Treasurer Dave MacBean said with the club being on Crown land, funding from the government is often required for major upgrades like this one.
“The committee were overwhelmed with the announcement and so appreciative to Minister Symes to take the time to listen to our needs and support our vision to improve the cricket nets for the club,” MacBean said.
Club president Brent Proctor said the upgrade will provide a safer environment for everyone involved at the club.
“Combined with our turf pitch, dedicated coaches, and highly motivated committee, the new facilities will help position the club as a destination of choice for both aspiring young cricketers and experienced local players looking to develop their game in a positive and supportive environment,” Proctor said.
Down the road, Wallan Bowls Club will receive nearly half a million dollars to transition their natural grass greens to synthetic ones.
In a Facebook post, State Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence said: “Bowls clubs are an important part of our community, bringing people together and supporting active, healthy lifestyles. This funding is a strong vote of confidence in their future and in grassroots sport across our growing region.”
President of the bowls club Peter Glass told the Review he and other members of the club were “chuffed” with the news.
Glass said he had been chasing up funding to replace the turf for years, and received the news from Ms Spence just three days before the Budget was handed down.
Competing with a nasty few months of bird damage, he said it was one of the contributing factors to the desire to move away from natural grass, alongside finances.
“Those that have got grass have got really good grass greens but they’ve got green curators they pay $60, 70, 80,000 a year, and … we haven’t got that sort of money,” Glass said.
“But a lot of clubs are transferring from grass to synthetic because of the durability and the year-round playing aspect.”
He added that the transition will mean the facility will be out of action during parts of the pennant season, but it will be worth it in the long run.
“Thanks to Ros Spence for her efforts and her input. Without her, we wouldn’t have got it, so we’re much appreciative (of) that,” Glass said.
The upgrades on Wallan’s bowling greens will begin in August and will take a couple of months to complete, while the cricket club remains in the planning stages.
