Elsie Lange
It’s been a long road, but the Lancefield Football Netball Club and its junior side can finally train and compete both day and night now that lighting upgrades at Lancefield Park are complete.
On Friday night, July 8, the lights were officially switched on and the Tigers celebrated the more than $300,000 works, which included the installation of four new lighting towers and 100 lux lighting.
Club president Bill Balcam said the process had taken “a number of years” and a lot of work.
“[The lighting is a] major benefit to Lancefield community as well as all user groups, opening the way to greater access and utilisation of these facilities for late afternoon and evening functions,” Mr Balcam said.
“[It will] provide an opportunity for greater utilisation of the park facilities by the local community as well as all user groups.”
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced the launch, paying tribute to the government’s $209,000 contribution through the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, as well as Macedon Ranges council’s $64,000 investment, and the club community’s own $50,000 injection.
“For too long clubs like the Tigers have been left in the dark due to outdated lighting facilities – they deserve appropriate facilities they can be proud of,” Ms Thomas said.
“The upgraded sports lighting at Lancefield Park provides a real incentive for local clubs to ramp up training and development and for locals to join in the fun.
“Better sport and recreation facilities make it easier for Victorians to get back to local sport and recreation and lead healthy and active lifestyles.”
One of Lancefield’s under-17 boys teams was the first to test out the new lights, with Lancefield Black facing Gisborne Rookies in the Riddell District Football League under-17 A competition.
A government statement said the upgraded lighting also opens up the park to night time events, such as markets and community celebrations including the Lancefield Agricultural Show, Lancefield Swap Meet and the Macedon Ranges Relay for Life.
“Investments like these are all about creating jobs, stimulating local economies, levelling the playing field, and fast-tracking community recovery by improving the health, wellbeing, and social outcomes for Victorian communities,” the government said.
