The Geraldton sporting community will be big winners should The Nationals WA form Government in March, with local Member Ian Blayney today announcing a $5.15m sporting package for upgrades and extensions to sporting facilities across Geraldton.
Mr Blayney said The Nationals WA recognise the value sporting organisations bring to the community and he will always back local initiatives and local projects that encourage people to get active.
“Our local sporting clubs are all extremely hard-working and are dedicated to providing an excellent service to our residents,” Mr Blayney said.
“Given local sport is such an integral part of the Geraldton community, I will continue to advocate for local sporting projects that encourage members of the community to get active, ensuring our families and community run organisations get the support and recognition they deserve.
Mr Blayney has today announced the following commitments:
- $3m for the Geraldton Basketball Association to extend and renovate their stadium
- $1m for Towns FC to upgrade their change rooms, develop their stadium & build coaching boxes
- $840,000 to the Geraldton Hockey Association for the re-establishment and refurbishment of two turfs as well as upgrades to their multi-user facility
- $100,000 to develop commercial end of trip facilities for cyclists to store their bicycles in the CBD
- $30,000 to Wonthella Bowling Club & $30,000 to Geraldton Bowling Club for the resurfacing of their car parks
- $14,000 for the combined Junior Bowls Program at Wonthella and Geraldton Bowling Clubs
- $32,000 to the Woorree Park BMX Club to resurface their track and provide more bikes and equipment for training and try-out purposes
- $100,000 for the Geraldton Golf Club towards building a new equipment shed for their golf buggies
“The funding for all of these organisations will enable the clubs to continue to grow and expand, which will ensure their sustainability and continued success into the future.
“ Upgrades to facilities will not only provide more opportunities for adults in the community to get involved and get active, but will also enhance the potential for our kids to reach the highest standards as well as being able to keep fit and healthy.
“Geraldton has already produced a lot of sporting talent, whereby kids that have grown up in Geraldton, used our local facilities and were taught by our dedicated mum and dad volunteers, have gone on to play at a professional level in state leagues and even, in some cases, have gone on to play internationally.
“The funding I have committed today will also assist many of the clubs to continue to attract state level events, providing excellent facilities for Geraldton players to compete at a higher level at home as well as providing more opportunity for sporting tourism within the City into the future.”
Mr Blayney said the funding for these projects will come from the Royalties for Regions program.
Mr Blayney said this commitment builds upon his pledge to upgrade the Geraldton Yacht Club pens at the Batavia Marina.
