Bright lights at Laidley
Things are looking a whole lot brighter for one of the region's premier sporting facilities.
The Laidley Recreation Reserve will soon boast increased lighting, all thanks to a State Government grant.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council was successful with a recent application for a Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing grant and will benefit to the tune of $492,000. Council will contribute $249,000 to the project - making the total overhaul worth around $740,000.
Regarded as one of the premier sporting facilities within the Lockyer Valley, the funds will be used to provide new lighting to two more fields, through the installation of ten new poles across the main soccer field, as well as the Mick Brennan Field. The project will also see the upgrade of 16 existing poles, all with the most up-to-date light-emitting diode (LED) light fittings and controls.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan said the grant was wonderful news for the community.
This project is all about increasing the club's ability to grow their membership and provide a safe space for the association and its members.
The facility is operating near capacity in most sports so this grant will be a great boost for Laidley sport and recreation.
Savings of up to 60 per cent are expected to flow once the new lighting is installed, so cost-savings will be another positive repercussion, Mayor Milligan said.
Laidley Recreation Reserve Committee President Dan Flanagan said more than 1400 residents used the Laidley Recreation Reserve each week.
This is for everything from Little Athletics to soccer, netball, Junior and Senior Rugby League, touch, softball and physical fitness groups, as well as walkers, schools and visiting teams.
With three extra fields available for use at night, it will also allow touch football the opportunity to increase the number of teams in their competition with the same number of time slots.
Rugby league and soccer can now rotate training on different fields to help with surface wear, tear and up-keep.
Keeping up with the increasing population of the area is vital and this grant will allow the Laidley Recreation Reserve to do just that, Mr Flanagan said.
