LIGHTS will be shining brighter on North Bendigo's and Gisborne's football ovals and netball courts next season.
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Victoria's Minister for Sport Damian Drum MLC continued a roll-out of funding through the Country Football Netball Program on Thursday at North Bendigo and Serpentine.
The state government has kicked in $100,000 toward a dozen projects aimed at improving facilities across Victoria.
North Bendigo FNC president Jamie Campbell said the funding announcement was fantastic news for the club.
"Better lighting is something we have been working toward for more than 15 years," Campbell said.
The project at the Atkins Street ground, aka Superior Roofing Oval, includes a new netball court and improved lighting for the courts and the football oval.
"The lighting will be up to AFL training standard.
"The support from the City of Greater Bendigo is fantastic. There are so many sporting bodies in the pool for funding."
The City of Greater Bendigo has kicked in more than $126,000 for the North Bendigo project and the club will contribute more than $25,000.
New change rooms for the football and netball teams will be built at Serpentine's Janiember Reserve.
The cash injection for the Bears includes $415,000 from Loddon Shire Council, $50,000 from Serpentine Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine FNC, and $20,000 from the Victorian Floods Appeal.
Money is also being put toward projects in the Macedon Ranges.
A new pavilion at Riddells Creek Football Oval, and lights for the oval and a reconstructed netball court at Gisborne's Gardiner Reserve are on the way.
Mr Drum teamed with Member for Northern Victoria Amanda Miller at both venues to announce the funding.
Mr Drum said $90,000 would go towards a new pavilion at Riddells Creek Football Oval, featuring male and female change rooms, umpire facilities, first aid room and expansion of the kitchen.
“With more and more families moving into the Gisborne area these new facilities will be a welcome boost."
Macedon Ranges Shire Council secured the funding for both projects and will contributed $179,000 towards the Gisborne Reserve project.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the Riddell Football Netball Club for its combined cash and in-kind contribution of $45,000 towards its project and the Gisborne Football Netball Club for kicking in $70,000 for the project at Gardiner Reserve,” Mr Drum said.
Gardiner Reserve is home to Gisborne Football Netball Club, Gisborne Rookies Junior Football Club, Gisborne Masters Football Club and the Gisborne Cricket Club.
“The Victorian Government is committed to a more active Victoria, that’s why investments like these are so important," Mr Drum said.