New electronic scoreboard to light up Learmonth Recreation Reserve

The improvements just keep coming at Learmonth Recreation Reserve.

A new electronic scoreboard at the home of the Learmonth Football and Netball Club was officially opened this week, the culmination of a combined partnership between the club, State Government, and the City of Ballarat.

The new scoreboard brings Learmonth into line with other football club facilities throughout the municipality, with almost 300 footballers and netballers at the club.

The $100,000 project was funded with $60,000 from the State Government's Local Sports Infrastructure Fund – Community Facilities, more than $36,000 from the Learmonth Football and Netball Club and about $4000 from the City of Ballarat.

It will also benefit the nearby Learmonth Pony Club, which has about 65 members.

The project was the latest addition to the home of the Lakies, following last year’s completion of the Learmonth Netball Courts and Lighting Project.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said investing in sporting facilities was crucial to continually encourage participation to grow at all levels.

“Great sporting and recreation facilities help build stronger, healthier and happier communities, that’s why as a Council we continue to invest in sporting facilities,” he said.

“We are proud to work with the State Government to bring another great project to life in Learmonth.”

Member for Ripon Martha Haylett MP said being part of the action is an important part of community sport, especially during big games – that’s why infrastructure like scoreboards is so important.

“It’s a real game-changer. It helps ramp up excitement at local fixtures and adds a whole new dimension to grassroots sport,” she said.

“It also provides the local community with a valuable way to promote local initiatives and keep up to speed with what’s going on in and around the community.”

Learmonth Football and Netball Club president Stephen Griffin said the club would benefit from the investment.

“Our club and community are extremely appreciative of the commitment the City of Ballarat and the State Government continues to provide with another great addition to the Learmonth Sporting Reserve,” he said.

Next on the agenda at Learmonth is designing the football oval resurfacing and oval lighting project, which will take place this calendar year. The completion of that project will be subject to future City of Ballarat budgets.