Grant funds resurface netball courts

From left, DLGSC Regional Manager Mid West Gascoyne-Sports and Recreation Richard Malacari, City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn, Geraldton Netball Association Administrator Charlotte van Jaarsveldt and Geraldton Netball Association President Janniel Harris on the outdoor netball courts which were recently resurfaced with the assistance of grant funding from both the City and State government.

Geraldton Netball Association outside courts have been recently upgraded with the assistance of grant funding secured from the City and State Government.

The $75,000 project, which involved resurfacing 10 outdoor netball courts, was jointly funded through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF), the City and the Geraldton Netball Association with each organisation contributing one-third of the project costs.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the CSRFF assists sporting clubs to develop and improve their infrastructure.

“The CSRFF funding program is open to all sporting clubs who want to increase participation their particular sport, or recreation, by providing quality facilities that are sustainable,” he said.

“This program enables Council to support local clubs who have worked hard to raise the funds required to make improvements to their facilities which ultimately benefits the community.”

Geraldton Netball Association President Janniel Harris said association members couldn’t wait to play on the new surfaces.

“Our members are really looking forward to playing on the new courts with the commencement of the season on Tuesday 1 May 2018,” she said.

Council has also recently approved its CSRFF one-third contribution of $60,000 for the Wonthella Bowling Club to replace one of their turf greens with synthetic turf. 

“The synthetic playing surface can be used year round and reduces the costs associated with turf maintenance and irrigation which enables the club to become more environmentally sustainable,” Mayor Van Styn said.

“The high quality surface could also make the club eligible for State and National competitions which would have a positive economic impact on our community through sports based tourism.”

Although the City’s one-third contribution towards this project has already been secured, the Wonthella Bowling Club is still awaiting the State Government’s approval of their one-third contribution.