Budget backs bowls club’s all-weather project

THE Victorian Government has committed $350,000 for the synthetic resurfacing of one of the Myrtleford Bowls Club’s greens, in another successful step towards the club’s goal to modernise their facilities. Attorney-General and Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, visited the bowls club last week to tell members the news of the funding, announced as part of the Victorian Budget. Club president Lance Symons said he was “thrilled to pieces” and the funding was “an amazing result” for the club. He said it showed state support for the club's aim to have two synthetic greens and a canopy, and it would giver further impetus to their requests for funding at the local or federal government level. “To think that we're the first club between Moama and Shepparton to achieve even this stage, it's just an amazing result,” Mr Symons said. He said the funding will pay for the installation of a synthetic green, which will include digging up the current green, improving drainage, installing a ramp, reshaping the perimeter and placing the synthetic surface. “It's just stage one of what will be a fantastic development for the region,” Mr Symons said. He expected the $350,000 would be paid to the Alpine Shire Council, to be administered by council as the project progresses. Mr Symons estimates the total project cost, including a second synthetic green and a greens roof, at $3-4 million. He said it would be ideal to install the roof and greens at the same time to reduce costs, but conceded that was “less likely”. The greens and canopy project aims to deliver greens that could be used year-round, resulting in more usage by schools, the community and bowlers from across the North East. The club recently had soil tests conducted at the greens to inform the selection of the synthetic surface and provide important data for the installation of a canopy. Alpine Shire Councillor Sarah Nicholas said the funding commitment from the State Government was a recognition of Mr Symon’s commitment to the project. “Lance's input has been exemplary, and probably, without Lance's push, it wouldn't have got as far as it's got,“ she said. Cr Nicholas said Mr Symons has twice presented plans to council briefing sessions, once for a budget submission. “The passion just shone through,” she said. “And when you put the whole project in the context of bowls, it's a popular sport, so across the region it's a good step forward to be able to have a multipurpose and year-round facility.” The $350,000 for the bowls club was part of a series of budget announcements from Ms Symes’ office last week, including a $400 School Savings Bonus and the continuation of the Get Active Kids vouchers to help eligible families with the cost of sporting club registration, uniforms and equipment. “With its first budget, the Allan Labor Government is focused on helping families in Northern Victoria, delivering the projects and services our community deserves,” Ms Symes said. “From the $400 School Savings Bonus to free vision tests and glasses for kids who need them, this budget provides real cost of living support for local families.”

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