The Palaszczuk Government has flicked the switch on a $300,000 LED field lighting upgrade at Wynnum Manly Junior Rugby League Club for Queensland’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
Member for Lytton Joan Pease said new field lighting for Kitchener Park was an election commitment and supported local jobs.
“I’m delighted to deliver on my 2020 election commitment to the Wynnum Manly Junior Rugby League Club for new field lighting,” Ms Pease said.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s $300,000 investment lights-up not one but four fields for rugby league games and training.
“LED lights have been installed on the two main, full-sized fields and have the flexibility of switching to 100 lux for training or 200 lux for matches.
“On the two smaller fields, the 50 lux LEDs are perfect for after-hours school training. “This project has supported local electrical jobs and being energy efficient, the field lighting will reduce the club’s power bills.”
Club Treasurer Philip Everson said the energy savings will amount to more than $2000 per month.
“The LED lights don’t draw as much power so we can direct those savings back into the junior rugby league teams,” said Mr Everson.
“We can actually turn the lights on in different areas of the fields and adjust the strength of the lights, so they give us much greater flexibility while allowing us to minimise the impact on our neighbours during training times through the week.
“We already have 750 players from Under 6 right through to Under 20, Open Men, Women and girl’s teams, in addition to local schools and community groups who use our fields for other sporting activities.
“With more people coming into the community, we expect the lights to get a lot of use in the years ahead.”
The LED installation was project managed by COHA group and built by Wynnum electricians Keid In Electrical.
Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said upgrading community sporting facilities was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
“Projects like Kitchener Park have supported local jobs across Queensland when they were needed most and helped community sport come back from the pandemic better than ever,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“One of the great legacies we want to achieve for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is providing more opportunities for Queenslanders to stay active.
“We know great facilities encourage more Queenslanders of all abilities to get on the field with their local club and stay connected with the community.
“Active Queenslanders are healthy Queenslanders and we’re not stopping at community sport infrastructure.
“Over the past seven years, Wynnum Manly Junior Rugby League has received 805 FairPlay vouchers valued at more than $120,000.
“FairPlay helps low-income families pay membership fees for children’s sport and gives more young Queenslanders the opportunities that come with being active and involved.”
Since 2015, the Palaszczuk Government has invested $84 million in rugby league to build facilities, support clubs and volunteers, and encourage more young Queenslanders to get involved in the game.
