Grange Reserve pitch light up

A soccer pitch at the Grange Reserve is receiving an illuminating upgrade.

Works have begun to install four lighting poles on pitch 1 that will be fitted with LED lighting, which is better for the environment and also helps to keep operating costs down.

Wyndham City Sports Development portfolio holder, Cr Peter Maynard, said this project would increase the use of this sporting field, which currently has no lighting.

“Although there is currently no group sport taking place due to COVID-19 restrictions, Wyndham’s growing population has resulted in corresponding membership boosts across organised sport, including soccer, in recent years,” Cr Maynard said.

“Lighting up this sporting reserve will help to meet this increased demand for our sporting facilities once restrictions have been lifted.”

“These works follow the recent reconstruction of pitch 2 at the Grange Reserve, which has been improved with a new warm season playing surface that requires less watering.”

“This is part of a $3.75 million Wyndham City investment to redevelop the Grange Community Centre and two adjoining sports fields.”

Cr Maynard said while Wyndham City funded the business case and planning for this lighting project, its construction is the result of a $300,000 grant from the Victorian Government’s Local Sports Grant initiative that came about after members of the Hoppers Crossing Soccer Club lobbied the State Government.

“I want to personally thank the members of the Hoppers Crossing Soccer Club for their advocacy work, and the Victorian Government for funding this important piece of community infrastructure,” Cr Maynard said.

Works are expected to be complete in September 2020.