THREE local sports and recreation facilities will be upgraded thanks to more than $220,000 in funding from the State Government.
Berri Barmera Council received $110,100 for a range of upgrades at the Barmera Stadium, Paddle SA received $109,900 to install an all-access ramp and QR codes for trail maps at Loch Luna, and the Renmark Rowing Club received $4000 to purchase solar panels.
Council will also contribute $130,000 towards the stadium project, which includes a court replacement, roof improvements, new flooring in the foyer and hall, and a kitchen refurbishment.
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said upgrading and building sporting facilities in the state’s regions was something local communities had “wanted for a long time”.
“When you look at the facilities around the region, it’s enticing young ones to play sport but it also makes our regions proud that we’ve got facilities that are class pieces of infrastructure,” he said.
“I know parents need a good reason to come to these facilities and bring their kids here, and kids need motivation to actively participate.”
Barmera Basketball Club president David Ness described the funding, received as part of the Government’s Game On sports infrastructure initiative, as “amazing” for the club.
“We’ve been doing quite a lot of fundraising because we were just desperate for new courts, and for the Government and Berri Barmera Council to all chip in for this project is going to lift our club to even greater heights,” he said.
“We’re hoping with the new courts we’ll have more and higher profile events to the stadium, as well as continuing to grow membership.
“The basketball season starts around October and we’re hoping to have the courts done by then and we’re hoping it will help continue to grow basketball in the town.”
Berri Barmera Council community development manager Andrew Haigh said the State Government’s funding allowed council to expand the project beyond a court replacement.
“We are very pleased for the support from the Office for Recreation and Sport, as it will help to finish off the improvements undertaken in the past few years at the Barmera sports facility,” he said.
Meanwhile, the new ‘launching cradle’ at Loch Luna will allow paddlers to safely position themselves before launching into the water and will reduce the damage to the banks of the waterway.
Paddle SA volunteer and life member Lawrie Shem said the project would be co-funded by contributions from the Department for Environment and Water and Berri business Canoe Adventures.
“It’s really important as the water levels along our rivers and backwaters rise and fall quite often, leaving the banks muddy or the grasses and reed beds exposed, and with constant trampling to the water’s edge by paddlers these areas banks become eroded,” he said.
“The ramp will encourage paddlers to utilise the one point for access to and from the waterways… (and) also offers easier access to a bigger range of people who may not have have considered paddling.”
Mr Whetstone said the upgrades at Loch Luna would both get more people active and provide a tourism opportunity.
“Loch Luna is just beautiful, and it’s a hidden asset and a real jewel,” he said.
“The best way to see Loch Luna and all its wetlands is by canoe, so I think there’s an opportunity that’s now being exposed…
Mr Whetstone said the new solar panels at the Renmark Rowing Club would “mean a lot to a club that is being revitalised by new membership”.
“I think every club now needs to be envious of what the club next door is achieving with the grant funding,” he said.
“I’d like everyone to put a concerted effort into making sure they know what programs are available and how they can take their club or their facility to the next level.”