Prospect Vale Park is set to receive major lighting upgrades, after the Meander Valley Council approved the capital works at its October meeting.
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As part of the upgrade, the council will allocate $152,100 of its 2012 Prospect Vale Park development budget toward the project.
A further $113,000 and $73,900 were recently given to the Prospect Junior Football Club to upgrade the lights by the state government and the AFL Facilities Development Reserve respectively.
The upgrade means that the park’s football oval and soccer pitches will be upgraded to lighting levels recommended by the Tasmanian State League and AFL Tasmania – 200 lux.
The ground’s current lighting was recently rated at less than 50 lux by multiple sources.
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Prospect Junior Football Club president Chris Ryan said the new lights will allow the club to play more night games.
“It gives us an opportunity to play more nighttime games, and it makes it safer with the 200 lux lighting – it’ll completely light up the ground,” he said.
“The [current] lighting is OK for training, but not necessarily for [nighttime or twilight] games.
“The increase means it’s safe – AFL standard safe.”
Mr Ryan said holding night games has become necessary due to the increased interest in women’s football and summertime touch football.
The club has four women’s teams, in addition to its seven junior boy’s teams and four senior men’s teams.
“Women’s football has really taken off last year, and this year, and we anticipate that will continue to grow fairly substantially,” Mr Ryan said.
“I think it’s a positive step for sport in general for the catchment area.”
Meander Valley deputy mayor Michael Kelly commented that all councillors agreed on the necessity to upgrade sporting facilities in the municipality.
“I don’t think there would be any argument from anyone in the council about upgrading sporting facilities,” he said.
Cr Kelly also said the former lights will be gifted to properties in the municipality to ensure they do not go to waste.