Lucknow football oval is set to light up this season thanks to an $81,000 grant from the State Government to upgrade the recreation reserve light towers to competition standard.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the funding was part of the Victorian Government’s Country Football Netball Program to build better facilities for local people across the State.

“Local sport plays an important role in not only bringing people together, which is why we’re working hard to deliver great venues where residents can play the sports they love,” Mr Bull said.

“Having high quality sporting facilities is central to encouraging more Victorians to get more active, more often, which is a top priority for this government.

“Our investment will deliver important improvements to ensure the Lucknow Recreation Reserve continues to be an important community asset for many years to come,” he said.

East Gippsland Shire CEO, Steve Kozlowski, said East Gippsland Shire appreciates the significant contribution of the State Government to this worthwhile sporting infrastructure.

“The work will provide additional opportunities for further use of the recreation reserve facilities in Lucknow,” Mr Kozlowski said.

Member of the Lucknow Recreation Reserve Committee, Andrew Gibbons, said the existing light tower poles were over 25 years old and in need of an upgrade.

“The project will also include not only new lights for the football oval but new lights and poles to the netball courts, which is a fantastic result for the recreation reserve.

“I’d like to thank East Gippsland Shire Council for their generous funding contributions of $160,000 and all the hard work from the recreation reserve committee who contributed $10,000 to the project.

“I’m sure the club here at Lucknow will look forward to playing at an enhanced home ground, and attracting more members,” Mr Gibbons said.

Mr Bull said regional and outer-metropolitan football and netball clubs looking to replace or redevelop their local facilities could apply for up to $100,000 through their local councils.

For more information about the Country Football Netball Program and other community sporting facility funding programs on offer, please visit www.sport.vic.gov.au