The growing junior and senior ranks at Ballarat Soccer Club can now practice their skills day and night thanks to new pitch lighting at the popular Pleasant Street Reserve in Ballarat.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison MP today joined City of Ballarat Councillor Belinda Coates and Ms Lucy Brennan, President of Ballarat Soccer Club to officially launch the new lighting over two pitches at the reserve, made possible by a $250,000 investment from the Victorian Government.

Up until recently, Ballarat Soccer Club players at the ground were training under a couple of spotlights during twilight hours during winter season making it hard to see. We’ve fixed that.

The new lighting provides more coverage over the ground, allowing greater numbers of teams from the junior girls to masters to utilise the pitch for training and development.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $1.05 billion in community sport and recreation infrastructure since 2014.

This includes a recent budget boost of $110 million for the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program as well as an extra $27 million to make sure our sports facilities are more accessible to more people.

From playspace upgrades to new lighting, investments like these provide high-quality and accessible places for Victorians to reap the benefits of sport and active recreation participation.

Investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, and fast-tracking community recovery by improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities.

Ms Addison acknowledged Ballarat City Council for its commitment and financial contribution of $209,000 to this project.

For more information about infrastructure grant opportunities available through the Victorian Government visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison

“This lighting upgrade provides the opportunity for Ballarat Soccer Club to train under lights on two pitches. This means that more aspiring soccer players, especially women and girls, will be able to get involved and fall in love with the beautiful game.”  

 “This is a great example of State and Local Governments working together to provide the community sporting facilities that local clubs like Ballarat Soccer Club deserve and can be proud of.”

Quotes attributable to Cr Belinda Coates

“This project aligns well with Council’s Active Ballarat and Active Women and Girls’ Strategies and no doubt the upgraded lighting will provide more flexibility for members and encourage people to get active again. Congratulations to the Ballarat Soccer Club for their input.”