BAYSIDE City Council has been successful in obtaining $90,000 worth of grants for two sporting club facility improvements, under Sport and Recreation Victoria’s 2008/09 Community Facilities Funding Program Minor Facility category.

Bayside Mayor Councillor Andrew McLorinan said the grants were a win for the community and would help improve facilities of two sporting clubs.

“The successful applications are for grants of $60,000 towards plexi-cushion surface courts at Hurlingham Park Tennis Club reducing potable water use at the facility by an estimated 90 per cent, and $30,000 towards upgrading cricket practice nets at William Street Reserve for Cluden Cricket Club,” Cr McLorinan said.

The Community Facility Funding Program is an initiative of the Sport and Recreation Victoria and is offered to Victorian councils each year.
 
“Applications from Bayside sporting clubs are forwarded to Council who then select a maximum of three projects to support and refer to Sport and Recreation Victoria. Bayside City Council was successful in obtaining two of the three applications,” Cr McLorinan said.

The aim of the program is to encourage:
· better planning of sport and recreation facilities
· innovative sport and recreation facilities
· increased community access to leisure opportunities
·  strong communities through participation in sport and recreation.

“Many local sporting groups have received significant support through this scheme in the past and Council thanks the Victorian Government for their ongoing support,” Cr McLorinan said.