By Brendan Rees
The clubrooms of Berwick Football and Netball Club will be revitalised with a multi-million funding boost announced.
The long-awaited funding will go towards new netball change facilities; redevelopment of football and umpire change facilities; and redevelopment of the club canteen at Edwin Flack Reserve.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood said the Federal Government had committed to $1.5 million in the redevelopment which the club desperately needed.
“The facilities, especially for females are absolutely shocking. For the netball girls, they haven’t got any change rooms facilities, any showers, (any only) two toilets,” he said.
“It’s an embarrassment that it’s been allowed to get to this.
“The canteen facility was actually closed by council last year,” he added.
Mr Wood provided a “heartfelt thanks” to the club who had been petitioning for a redevelopment.
“We want this to rock and roll really quickly. Council is going to have the money available in the budget,” he said.
“Sport keeps young people engaged and teaches them skills and team work, leadership and working together.”
At their 19 March meeting, Casey Council would pour $2 million to the project should the Federal Government match it.
In a statement, Casey Council said it was pleased at the $1.5 million commitment which, along with Council’s commitment of $1.5 million will mean a total of $3 million will be delivered to benefit the Berwick Football/Netball Club and other user groups in this financial year.
Casey Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon said they were so grateful for the support of Mr Wood and thanked the club for their strong advocacy.
“We are committed to providing 50/50 funding to ensure that we can deliver on this much needed upgrade to Edwin Flack Reserve and provide great outcomes for so many in the football and netball community,” she said.
“Mr Wood and the Berwick Football and Netball Club have been advocating strongly for these upgrade works to further invest in health and fitness, leadership and team work outcomes and to deliver improved facilities for our community.
Mr Wood said his next goal was to find a home for the Berwick Junior Football Club: “The problem is that they haven’t got a home so I’m very keen to give them funding for a building facility.”
“The council is trying to come up with a solution to find a ground for them for the future,” he said.
