Dimboola Bowls and Rainbow Recreation Receives Funding Boost
Published on 13 July 2020
Labor Member for Western Victoria, the Hon Jaala Pulford, announced last Friday 10 July that two funding applications for projects totaling $585,000 submitted by Hindmarsh Shire Council for upgrades to local sporting infrastructure were successful in receiving funds through the Victorian Government’s 2020-2021 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The Dimboola Bowling Club will receive a grant of $163,500 to upgrade their facilities including a second synthetic green, improved shade structures and all-abilities access to the new green, while a grant of $226,640 has been announced for the construction of new female change rooms at the Rainbow Recreation Reserve.
The Hon Jaala Pulford said “Both of these are among 100 projects to benefit from a share in more than $30 million through the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund. This round of the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund will deliver over $243 million in local economic activity, creating hundreds of construction, maintenance and operational jobs”.
Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Rob Gersch said, “On behalf of Council and the broader communities of Dimboola and Rainbow, I would like to thank Minister Pulford and the Victorian Government for their continued support in providing funding opportunities to increase and improve infrastructure to our sport and recreation facilities”.
“Without this funding support, it is very difficult to improve the facilities and infrastructure required to retain and attract new participants or to increase participation levels. Like all of our local businesses, sporting clubs have been hit hard by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and funding towards new facilities will provide the Dimboola Bowling Club and the Jeparit Rainbow Football Netball Club, Rainbow Tennis Club and other user groups with confidence as we look forward to some form of normality in the future” added Cr Gersch.
Jeparit Rainbow Football Netball Club President Jason Hutson said “News of the funding was very well received by the club. It will provide comfortable and user friendly facilities for our players and visiting teams for changing in and to shower after matches. Its location beside the court will remove the need to walk over 100 meters to get changed in an outdated, draughty room”.
“This new facility will become a huge asset to not only our club but for the entire Rainbow community. On behalf of the Jeparit Rainbow Football Netball Club I would like to thank Jaala Pulford, the Victorian Government, Hindmarsh Shire Council, the Rainbow Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and all of our members who assisted in some way to submit the funding application”, Mr Hutson said.
The new change rooms at the Rainbow Recreation will be multi-purpose in that they will be located within the Rainbow Caravan Park and when not being utilised for sporting events, will be used as amenities for patrons of the Caravan Park.
Cr Rob Gersch said “Council commissioned the development of a master plan for the Rainbow Recreation Reserve and Rainbow Caravan Park a couple years ago and one of the identified priorities was the inclusion of new female change rooms for the Recreation Reserve and upgraded amenities at the Caravan Park. Through an innovative design and with the support of Sport and Recreation Victoria and Netball Victoria we have been able to fulfil both of these requirements within the one building”.
Mr Darryl Argall, President of Dimboola Bowling Club said “The Dimboola Bowling Club would like to thank Jaala Pulford, the State Government and Hindmarsh Shire Council for providing the club with the grant to enable the installation of a new synthetic green, new shade facilities and an all-abilities access to the new green”.
“These upgrades will see the club in great position for the next twenty years and will take an enormous workload off our ageing and diminishing volunteer base to keep the grass green in a good playing condition. The synthetic green will also save the club significate finance each year through the reduction of water usage and chemical costs”, added Mr Argall.
In a time of universal access requirements, the new synthetic green will also be constructed with all-abilities access.
Mr Argall said, “I believe that we will be the first club in the Bowls Wimmera competition to have an all-abilities access which will provide our existing members and encourage new members and players to continue or commence playing bowls. It will also provide a real boost to our popular night time bowls competition and broader Dimboola community”.
The total project cost for the new change rooms at Rainbow is $340,000 while the new synthetic green at the Dimboola Bowling Club is costed at $245,000.
Cr Rob Gersch said “In addition to the funding provided by the Victorian Government, Council, Dimboola Bowling Club, Rainbow Recreation Reserve and the Jeparit Rainbow Football Netball Club have also committed funds and in-kind support to see these projects come to fruition. I must congratulate and thank all clubs and committees involved in the projects for their willingness to contribute their own funds towards these initiatives”.
Darryl Argall also added “On behalf of the Dimboola Bowling Club I would like to send a big thank you to the Hindmarsh Shire Council staff who kept us informed of the funding programs and to local Dimboola resident Dennis Smith who assisted the club with the grant application”.
For more information, please contact Monica Revell, Director Corporate and Community Services, on 03 5391 4444 or email mrevell@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.
Greg Wood
Chief Executive Officer