The community of Omeo will be able to play more sport more often with the official opening of three upgraded facilities at the Omeo Recreation Reserve today.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, was on hand to officially open the developments today.

“Local clubs and their sports facilities play a vital role in our communities, providing a place for people to get together, strengthen ties and lead an active lifestyle,” Mr Bull said.

“I am a strong believer in sport being one of the key underpinning activities of rural communities and these new upgraded facilities ensure people can enjoy even more sport all year round and for more hours of the day.

“The Victorian Government is proud to continue to invest in community facilities like these which ensure communities have every opportunity to participate in sport and recreation activities

“I come from a previous job with the Australian Sports Commission’s Active After-school Communities program and that certainly highlighted the importance of sport, especially in our youth,” he said.

The Victorian Government provided:

*  $60,000 to the Omeo Recreation Reserve towards replacement of the existing light poles with safe, low maintenance and energy efficient lighting.  *  $20,000 for the resurfacing of the Omeo Netball Courts with a plexipave surface and extended run off area. *  $56,000 to the Omeo Recreation Reserve to allow for the collection and harvest of storm water from the reserve into tanks creating an ongoing, sustainable water supply.

Mr Bull commended the East Gippsland Shire for securing the funding for the projects and contributing close to $30,000 to the three projects.

“Local clubs and businesses also did a great job to contribute to the three projects, contributing more than $95,000 support for the upgrades in Omeo,” Mr Bull said.

“By investing in quality sports facilities like these we are making sure that Victorians can enjoy even more ways to get more active more often, now and into the future,” he said.