Bundaberg Regional Council’s COVID-19 Community Sport Support Program is helping sporting bodies, such as Elliott Coastal Club, finish the year on the front foot.
The absence of participants at the region’s sporting venues during the COVID-19 lockdown period meant a lack of revenue as clubs and organisations shut the doors and locked the gates on organised sport and related social events for six months.
While sporting groups suddenly had ample time to make improvements to their facilities, the lack of revenue prevented many from capitalising on the opportunity to do so.
However, Council’s COVID-19 Community Sport Support Program enabled various sporting bodies within the region to complete much-needed upgrades.
Successful grant applicant, Elliott Coastal Club treasurer Julianne Smart, said the club used its allocated $4680 to upgrade one of the Elliott Heads Bowls Club greens and pay its electricity bill for September.
“It has been a difficult year because we missed out on our usual southern (interstate) visitors, but this grant has helped make up for the loss of revenue,” Julianne said.
“We are so appreciative of the grant enabling us to complete the green upgrade, and it was also nice to receive our electricity invoice and see that we were in credit.”
Julianne said Saturday afternoon bowls was growing in popularity at the club and was hopeful that a brighter year lay ahead in 2021.
Council's sport and recreation portfolio spokesperson, Cr Vince Habermann, was pleased to see good news stories arising from the Community Sport Support Program grant, applications for which closed in August.
“The bowls green needed an upgrade to better serve Elliot Coastal Club members and visitors and the grant helped ensure that the goal was achieved,” Cr Habermann said.
“The grant served its purpose well in providing up to $5000 to sporting bodies who have experienced financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, in order to help them achieve much-needed improvements to their facilities.”
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