Funding to help attract elite sporting events

The Geraldton community will enjoy improved sporting facilities with a lighting upgrade at its premier sports ground, Wonthella Oval, thanks to the announcement today of a $590,000 investment through the State Government’s Royalties for Regions program. 

The project will provide the oval with lighting to the Australian Standard for Sports Lighting (AS 2560.2.3) and Australian Rules Football standard of 500 lux. 

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the lighting upgrade would provide Geraldton with a venue to market itself as a destination for high level, large scale sporting and non-sporting events. 

“The ability to attract elite level sporting events to the region will help to inspire young people to achieve by seeing their champions play,” Mr Redman said. 

“The improved lighting will also provide all user groups with the opportunity to host new events and increase the utilisation of the venue to generate additional income and support their financial viability.” 

The total project cost was $1.5 million, with the remaining funding provided by the City of Greater Geraldton, the Department of Sport and Recreation’s Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund and the Australian Football League. 

Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said the Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund had contributed $230,000 to the project. 

“This facility will allow the community to have access to quality sport and recreation facilities and means local clubs can train and play at night,” Ms Davies said. 

“This is another example of the State Government’s support for community sport and as we know sport and recreation is what holds communities together in many regional centres.” 

The Mid West Investment Plan, through Royalties for Regions, has invested $82 million since 2011 with the goal of transforming the Mid-West into a 190,000-strong community by 2050. For further information on Royalties for Regions projects, visit Bigger Picture - Regions.