Sport
2 October, 2023
Council awards contract for Deledio Reserve upgrade project
Dunolly is another step closer to works getting underway on the Deledio Reserve redevelopment project, which includes new netball courts. The contract for the project was awarded to Quantum Civil Pty Ltd at last week’s Central Goldfields Shire...
Dunolly is another step closer to works getting underway on the Deledio Reserve redevelopment project, which includes new netball courts.
The contract for the project was awarded to Quantum Civil Pty Ltd at last week’s Central Goldfields Shire ordinary council meeting following a public tender process, and has been jointly funded with just over $727,000 from the State Government and more than $242,500 from council.
Included in the upgrade are two much-needed new courts — one netball court and one tennis/multi-use court — plus lighting, player shelter, seating, landscaping and drinking fountain.
“Shout out to the Dunolly Football Netball Club members for their time and expertise over the past few months as we’ve worked together to finalise the detailed designs for this project,” Flynn Ward councillor Liesbeth Long said.
“There’s no denying the new courts will be a welcome addition to the reserve. The club have been operating from a single netball court that is in desperate need of upgrading and the second existing court is no longer playable.
“I know how much these courts mean to the club and this project will bring us another step closer to Dunolly getting the first-class facilities they deserve.
“Council will continue to advocate to state and federal government for the funding needed to see the clubrooms rebuilt — but in the meantime it will be wonderful to see this project get underway in the coming months so that the courts are ready for play in time for the 2024 netball season.”
The recreation reserve is utilised by the Dunolly Football Netball Club (FNC), Laanecoorie-Dunolly Cricket Club, the local archery club Golden Triangle Archers and wider community.
Deledio Netball Facilities Upgrade committee member and Dunolly FNC’s Katie Lovel said the upgrade is exciting following years of planning and hard work.
“Our training structure has been hampered considerably for years with only one court, meaning we had to cram two teams on the court at once and for restricted training times to allow for all teams to get through,” she said.
“We’ve relied on very poor lighting which only illuminates one end of the court, even resorting to painter’s lights at times to give extra lighting.
“We’re excited to have quality facilities where the possibilities for enhancing and expanding our teams and competitions are endless. Options for social netball, mixed netball, and walking netball can all be explored to increase health and well-being outcomes for a wider range of people.
“We’re thrilled for this to be a reality for our whole community.”