The future of sport in the Redlands is bright thanks to a $1 million joint Redland City Council and Queensland Government lighting upgrade that was officially switched on at Judy Holt Park today.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the lighting upgrade at the three rugby union fields was the first in a $3 million project that would upgrade lighting at sports fields across the Redlands.
“The Redlands is home to many passionate sporting clubs and families that love to watch their children enjoying our local sporting fields and Council is committed to ensuring these fields are of a high standard,” she said.
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“As part of this commitment in 2014 we identified fields that required lighting upgrades to meet competition standard. This is the first of a series of upgrades that will be rolled out over the next three years across the city.”
Cr Williams said the upgrade of lights at Judy Holt Park included new LED technology.
“This technology is only new to Australia and this project will see the Redlands become one of the first cities to use it on our local sporting fields; providing real benefits to local sports clubs,” she said.
“This LED lighting will enhance the sporting experience for both players and spectators; making it easier for locals to get involved in sport and addressing a shortfall in local sporting facilities.”
Division 8 Councillor Tracey Huges said Judy Holt Park was a key sporting location and the lighting upgrade would make it an even more popular venue.
“This $1 million project was made possible thanks to a $100,000 Queensland Government Get Playing grant that was awarded to the Redlands Rugby Union and Recreation Club,” she said.
“Council supported the Club with its application and the upgrade will open the way for more night-time games and training.”
“I would like to congratulate the club on securing this funding and commend the State Government for investing in the local sporting community.
“We are seeing today what can be achieved when the local community and different levels of government work together.”
Treasurer and Minister for Sport Curtis Pitt said the Palaszczuk Government was pleased to contribute $100,000 in funding to the project under round 3 of its Get Going Places and Spaces program.
“The new lights will improve the accessibility of sports like rugby league, rugby union and touch football in the Redlands area in the evenings,” Mr Pitt said.
“The project will have immediate benefits for approximately 400 members of the Redlands Rugby Union and Recreation Club who already play at this facility each week.
“It will also bring the venue up to competition standards, which means Judy Holt Recreation Precinct is equipped to host higher level competition, representative events and night events in the future.
“This will no doubt have flow on implications including increased membership for Redland Rugby Union and Recreation Club as well as greater interest from the local community.
“I applaud Redland City Council for working with local sporting organisations to improve the sporting facilities for the Redland community.
“Get Playing Places and Spaces is all about improving Queensland’s grassroots sporting facilities and lifting participation levels.
“The Palaszczuk Government believes that good sporting facilities encourage greater participation across local communities and this is why we are proud to support these great local projects.”
