MORE than 1000 athletes, soccer referees and students will benefit from newly-installed flood lighting and facility upgrades at the Noranda Sporting Complex.
The City of Bayswater and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries funded $293,000 for flood lighting, improvements to the running track, long jump runways, the relocation of shot put and discus areas and relocation of the grandstand and shelter.
The oval is used by Noranda City Junior and Senior Soccer Clubs, Football West Referees, Bayswater Little Athletics (BLA) and local schools.
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READ NOWBLA president Evan Crute said the club, which had about 285 members, held four to five night competitions during December and January.
“The lighting allows us to have a proper night competition,” he said.
“We normally have four or five twilight competitions a year and we have been hiring lights which has been costing us $600 every time we had one.
“It gives us the option to host more competitions.”
Crute said he hoped to see an increase in members when the season started in September.
Noranda City FC seniors president Clyde Stotzer said club membership had increased to more than 250 players over the past few years.
“We are a winter sport, not like athletics, so without lights, we can’t play,” he said.
“It enables us to provide the best opportunities for the local community in playing football in Noranda.
“It also provides us a premium training venue.”
Bayswater Mayor Dan Bull said sporting clubs would be the “lifeblood” of the community.
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