Evening football and soccer activities at the Greenough Oval and Alexander Park will soon come under new light when flood lighting towers at both facilities are replaced in the coming months.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the decision to replace the towers was based on the findings of a recent audit conducted on sporting tower floodlighting at all non-leased grounds and several leased facilities with tower floodlighting.

“The audit reported some light towers had reached their end of life whilst other towers were in need of maintenance,” he said.

“Many of these towers and floodlights were installed by the sporting clubs with the assistance of volunteers and we are thankful for their dedication and hard work.

“Unfortunately, the efforts of well-meaning volunteers has in many cases resulted in inadequately maintained floodlights which have now become financially unviable for clubs to continue to maintain or the towers becoming non-compliant.”

The Sporting Facilities Lighting Audit Report recommends removing the floodlight towers at the Greenough Oval and Alexander Park, as they no longer meet standards in terms of pole height and lighting levels.

“The light towers at the Greenough Oval, home to Rovers Football Club, are originally from the Gloucester Park in Perth and were installed more than 20 years,” Mayor Van Styn said.

“The Alexander Park towers have been lighting up Rovers Soccer Club, Chapman Athletics Soccer Club and the Marconi Soccer Club activities since the early 2000s.

“Although these towers have served these sporting groups well, due to their age and condition they now need to be replaced.”

Mayor Van Styn said asset renewal is a Council priority.

“This Council has been taking measures to improve the financial sustainability of the City and has concentrated spending on renewing our existing assets,” he said.

“The 2017/18 Budget includes $700,000 to renew sporting tower lighting which we are putting towards keeping the floodlights on at the Greenough Oval and Alexander Park.”

To improve the future management of flood lighting, a Sporting Flood Lighting Policy will be developed in the coming months.