Pickering Brook Sports Club upgrades
In 2020 Pickering Brook Sports Club (PBSC) applied for a grant through the city of Kalamunda’s capital grant program for the development of a play ground and to convert its two grass bowling greens to a synthetic surface. During this period the club also had plans to install new solar panels to the facility.
In early December this year the projects were completed. The new Playground is accessible and something for the whole Community to enjoy. The synthetic bowling green surface requires significantly less ongoing maintenance compared to the previous natural turf, which will reduce the heavy reliance on club’s volunteers. Additionally it will provide use all year-round, PBSC has already noticed a growth in new members. The Solar panels help to keep the club sustainable, reducing their power bill delivering significant environmental benefits. Needless to say the Club will benefit greatly from the additions.
These projects have been achieved through a collaboration and joint funding effort across Federal, State and Local Government, as well as contributions from the PBSC. .
The City of Kalamunda has contributed a total of $93,500 towards the projects, PBSC being the first to benefit from the Solar Panel funding initiative. In partnership, The City, partnered with Pickering Brook Sports Club, applied for a grant towards the three projects through the Commonwealth Governments Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), with the City successful in receiving a grant of $241,000.The club also received a grant of $75,000 from Lotterywest, representing the State Government towards the new playground component of the project.
Mayor of Kalamunda, Margaret Thomas had some comments on the project.
“The Pickering Brook Sports club is a vital contributor to a growing and thriving Pickering Brook community while providing a wide range of sporting facilities which are highly regarded and sought after by locals and visitors alike.
The club is well known for its terrific amenity and this project further enhances the offerings here. These projects do not come about without hard work, and I would like to acknowledge the President, Secretary, and all of the Committee of the Pickering Brook Sports Club for their extensive efforts.”
With excess of 1500 hours of volunteer labour, hard work and community strength played a key role in the project. The volunteers removed grass, built rink walls, access ramp, installed irrigation, paving, shade structures amongst other countless tasks to prepare the green for use. Volunteers in each club do a tremendous amount for their community, if you have a volunteer at your club that deserves recognition you can put a nomination for the Volunteer award here.
Mayor Thomas acknowledges the countless volunteer hours that were put in to ensure the project progressed as well as those that supported the project “Thank you to the Federal Government and Federal Member Andrew Hastie for his these projects, along with LotteryWest for their continued support.”.
It’s always great to see Local Bowling Clubs develop and receive support from not just the Local Government but State and Federal as well. Bowls is a great sport to bring communities together and promote healthy and active lifestyles.
