Heyfield’s community will soon be able to get more active at the redeveloped Gordon street tennis courts, thanks to a $75,158 funding boost announced today from the Victorian Government’s Community Facility Funding Program (CFFP).   Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the grant would help Wellington Shire Council kick start the Heyfield Tennis courts project which will provide even more opportunities for local clubs and the wider community to participate in sport.

“The recent fire events have had a significant impact on the local community and it is fantastic to be able to announce this funding today.

“The State Government is delighted to invest in sporting facilities that bring even more great benefits to the community, encouraging people to get together and get more active.   “This funding will help develop a quality, accessible community sport and recreation facility that can host bigger and better sporting events, accommodate more people of all abilities, and will play an important role in increasing participation and improving the health of the community for years to come,” Mr Bull said.

The funding will be used to redevelop the surface of six tennis courts with an acrylic surface at the Heyfield club that are currently severely cracked and in a poor state of repair.

Wellington Shire Mayor, Cr Scott Rossetti said after a particularly trying few weeks for the Heyfield Community, I am delighted to discover the State Government has awarded the funding to redevelop the tennis courts at the Gordon Street Recreation Reserve.

“This positive news is a huge boost for the Heyfield community and rewards the great efforts they’ve made in raising $25,158 locally towards the project.

“Council has contributed $50,000 to this project, with the total now standing at $150,316 thanks to the State Government’s contribution.  We’re looking forward to embarking on this project with the community and I can’t wait to see the results!,” said Cr Rossetti.

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty, said better sport and recreation facilities give more people the opportunity to get involved in local clubs and their communities.

 “We want all Victorians to experience the benefits of physical activity and healthy lifestyles, and we are therefore pleased to work closely with local councils and communities to help them develop quality, accessible facilities,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Bull said the Heyfield Tennis court upgrade project was one of 63 projects to receive funding under the Minor Facilities category of the 2013/2014 round of the Community Facility Funding Program.

For more information about the Community Facility Funding Program visit www.sport.vic.gov.au

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull and Wellington Shire Mayor, Cr Scott Rosetti with members of the Heyfield Tennis club at today’s announcement of the $150,000 upgrade project to the Heyfield Tennis courts.