Magazine - New Synthetic Soccer Pitch for Moreland City Council

By Editor in Synthetics on 8th Oct 2008 10:25

Local residents, sporting enthusiasts and students in the Fawkner area and surrounding suburbs will be able to play year-round on a new syntheticsoccer pitch, thanks to a $300,000 Brumby Government grant.

Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino was at Fawkner Secondary College to announce the new grant as part of the $3.6 million Synthetic Surfaces Program.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to ensure all Victorian communities have the facilities they need to encourage healthy, active involvement in sport and recreation,” Mr Merlino said.

“This new synthetic surface will be low-maintenance and drought-resistant and able to withstand more wear and tear.

“The effects of the drought have forced us to think of new ways to keep sport alive in the face of climate change. Today’s funding is about giving the local community more opportunities to get involved in sport – no matter what the weather brings.”

Development of the new state-of-the-art synthetic pitch at the college will include the construction of fencing and training level flood lighting to enable students, local teams and social players to train or play day or night.

Mr Merlino said the Synthetic Surfaces Program was part of the Brumby Government’s $12.9 million Drought Relief for Community Sport Program to reduce the impact of drought on sport and recreation facilities across Victoria.

“Managing the effects of the drought is a challenge for all Victorians. That’s why the Brumby Government has been working in partnership with local councils and their communities to keep sport participation alive and meet the challenges of the drought,” he said.

“Our local sports facilities are vital to the social fabric, strength and wellbeing of any community and by improving the quality of those facilities we are encouraging greater participation for all Victorians.”

Mr Merlino also commended Moreland City Council for its $300,000 contribution to the project.

Moreland Mayor Joe Caputo welcomed the Victorian Government funding as a great boost for Moreland’s sporting community.

“This is true drought relief for sports-loving Moreland. The absence of rain has made a wasteland of our sports fields, but this wave of funding will keep our home turf green all year round,” Cr Caputo said.

Read more articles in Synthetics, by Editor or from October 2008.