Lighting up community sport
Published on 19 June 2023
Night time training and competition are now possible at both Scovell and Pennell reserves with Council delivering new flood lighting towers.
This means tenant clubs, which include Maidstone United Soccer Club, Braybrook Sporting Club, Footscray United Cricket Club, and St Andrews Cricket Club, will be able to expand their offering and better cater for time-poor participants.
The original lighting did not meet modern illumination standards restricting the sites usage. The new flood lights, which meet the sporting code standards, will enable teams to train and play at night helping the clubs grow their junior and female teams, and improve overall player safety.
Maidstone United Soccer Club Secretary, James Cardona, said the club is already seeing benefits.
“When the lights turned on for the first time players and parents were cheering! The previous lighting didn’t illuminate all areas of the ground evenly and made it challenging to run a lot of our training sessions effectively,” James explained.
“We are looking forward to maximising the space for our training sessions now that it is fully lit. The new flood lights also give us opportunities to host matches in the evenings for all of our age groups.”
The new lighting towers house energy efficient LED light fittings, helping reduce Council’s impact on the environment while supporting accessibility.
The Scovell Reserve and Pennell Reserve lighting improvements follow the recent Yarraville Glory Football Club upgrades, with new flood lighting used and enjoyed since March. The Yarraville Glory Floodlighting Upgrade was partially funded by the Victorian State Government.
Message from the Mayor, Councillor Sarah Carter
The lighting upgrades at Scovell and Pennell reserves will enhance local sporting competitions and social activities and ensure our ever-growing community continues to have access to safe and functional public outdoor facilities. The upgrades are a welcomed addition as we enter the winter months, allowing clubs to utilise the grounds at night.
Maribyrnong News
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