More than $26 million will be invested in community sport and active recreation clubs by the Queensland Government. The new sport infrastructure program offers grants from $50,000 to $415,000 for smaller club projects including lighting, ramps and pathways, cycle trails, skate parks, fixed exercise equipment, court upgrades and change rooms.
Grants under the inaugural round of the $14.6 million Minor Infrastructure Program are open to community-based sport and active recreation clubs in addition to state and national level sporting organisations and local councils.
Shovel-ready projects valued up to $1 million will be considered for the new Minor Infrastructure Program with successful applicants contributing up to 20 per cent of total project costs.
Applications for funding close on 2 March with successful projects to be completed within 18 months. The third round of the Palaszczuk Government’s Active Clubs program is already open with grants of up to $2500 for 2,000 community sporting clubs.
The $5 million program is designed to help clubs with the cost of new on and off-field equipment, accreditation courses for coaches, club officials and volunteers, and initiatives like come-and-try events to attract new members.
Local Cooper MP Jonty Bush said new training standard field lighting was currently under construction at Bardon Latrobe FC following a $104,000 investment by the State Government.
“Sporting clubs like Bardon Latrobe FC are very important for keeping Queenslanders of all ages active and healthy, and connected with their local community,” she said. The Government has already invested almost $380,000 in Bardon Latrobe FC including two new change rooms, aluminium seating, Active Clubs funding and $5400 in FairPlay vouchers.
“It’s wonderful to see construction of Bardon Latrobe’s new field lights underway to help the club build in new training flexibility and attract new members,” Bush said.