14 Jul 2021
$1.05 million Encounter Bay Sporting Club upgrades officially opened | Victor Harbor Times
Jack Manning | Victor Harbor Times
Encounter Bay sports clubs have celebrated the official opening of new facilities and upgrades, totalling $1.05 million.
The new amenities include unisex changerooms, a medical room, a game day office and an extended pergola, as well as additional upgrades to existing Encounter Bay Football Club facilities.
The opening took part during the SANFL SA Country Football Championships on July 10 and follows significant contributions from the federal ($550,000) and state governments ($400,000) and the City of Victor Harbor ($125,000).
Senator for South Australia Andrew McLachlan said the local community and Fleurieu region would benefit from the redevelopment for generations to come.
"These fantastic new facilities... will provide a safe and welcoming environment for players, their families, coaches and game day officials," Mr McLachlan said.
"The project has delivered significant benefits for the local economy, creating 40 jobs throughout the redevelopment. I also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the many community members who volunteered their time to ensure that the project was delivered in full and on time."
Officially open: Rebekha Sharkie MP, Senator Andrew McLachlan and David Basham MP cut the ribbon to open Encounter Bay Sporting Club upgrades. Photo: Jack Manning.
Member for Finniss David Basham also commended community volunteers.
"It's long been said, the Encounter Bay Club creates a village for its members and the wider community, and I am thrilled to be involved in the opening of their new clubrooms and facilities," he said.
"The previous facilities were outdated and these new facilities give the club a higher quality home base with an upgrade of existing change rooms, trainer and medical rooms, umpire change rooms, kitchen facilities and wet areas, and new disability access that will lead to greater safety and access to all participants of club games.
"The members of the Encounter Bay Football Club, the Encounter Bay Netball Club and the Encounter Bay Cricket Club should all be proud that they have a fantastic modern facility to cater to the 400 people per week who participate in their sporting events."
Also present at the opening were Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, City of Victor Harbor Mayor Dr Moira Jenkins and CEO Victoria MacKirdy.
"It's great to see today that it doesn't matter whether you're a man or a woman, if you love footy, you can get out there and have a game; congratulations to everybody involved," Ms Sharkie said.
"The commitment and vision to this project by the club and committee has never wavered."
Encounter Bay Football Club president Todd Butler thanked all levels of government for enabling "the club to grow its membership and foster women's football".
Mr Butler's sentiments were echoed by Encounter Bay Cricket Club president Todd Kelly and Encounter Bay Netball Club vice president Vanessa Juergens, as well as the many club members gathered at the opening event.
Dr Jenkins said it was wonderful to celebrate the milestone during the SANFL SA Country Football Championships.
"We want to continue to see participation in community sports growing across the Fleurieu Peninsula and that's why we're investing in new facilities to accommodate these changes," she said.