By Luke Voogt
Norlane Bowling Club is set for a big upgrade after receiving a $350,000 council grant for a new synthetic bowling green.
The club was one of four recipients of the maximum amount under council’s $3 million 2020-21 Community Infrastructure Grants program.
Barwon Valley Golf Club also received $350,000 for a clubroom upgrade and refurbishment at its 18-hole course in Belmont.
Geelong Rangers Soccer Club received the same amount to upgrade lighting at Myers Reserve, Bell Post Hill, as did St Joseph’s Cricket Club for its Carey Oval pavilion upgrade.
The grants, starting at $2200, will support 49 community-led projects across greater Geelong.
Geelong High School received $33,000 for accessible toilets, change rooms, and light and sound upgrades at Shenton Theatre.
Woodlands Pre School, Ocean Grove, received $30,430 for stage one of its rear play space redevelopment and St Luke’s Uniting Church, Highton, received $20,000 to plan the future of the location.
More than half of the grants will support capital works ventures, with 21 to progress planning on community-led projects.
Successful applications totalled $3,000,567, part of a record grants budget of $5.1 million for 2020-21, according to finance portfolio chair Anthony Aitken.
“With some community groups also providing their own funds as well, we know these projects are a priority and will be quickly delivered to help stimulate investment at a local grassroots level and help the slow journey to recovery from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cr Aitken said.
Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher congratulated the recipients, describing local groups as the “backbone of our rich community life” and vital to the wellbeing of residents.
