Green Range and Emu Point clubs hopeful of securing funding from State Government

Two clubs with plans to upgrade and revitalise their facilities hope to secure funding in the coming months after submitting applications to the State Government. Last week, Albany councillors endorsed ranking applications for the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund from the Green Range Country Club and the Emu Point Sporting and Community Club one and two, respectively. The GRCC is seeking just about $195,00 for its bowling green revitalisation project which involves the installation of synthetic bowling greens to replace existing grass green and the lighting. The application prepared by the club said bowls had “not been regularly played at the club for over 15 years due to the current quality and type of green”. It said corporate bowls played in February were “hugely profitable and popular” as well as being a great opportunity for members of the farming community to come together socially. “The Green Range Country Club has strong ambitions to enable more regular bowls participation and community events,” the application said. An application for $190,000 has been submitted by EPSCC to go towards the first stage of its redevelopment master plan. If the application is successful, it will help make the well-established club more wheelchair-friendly as well as cover the cost of converting male toilets into unisex facilities, constructing a small front office and changing the internal layout of the club. The club’s application said only “minor additions” had been made to club rooms since they were constructed in 1974. “As such the board of the EPSCC has developed a building master plan and is in the process of implementing this plan,” it said. “Our major focus is on providing wheelchair and disability accessibility to our clubhouse, bowling greens and tennis court and providing storage facilities for these sports and our members. “The master plan will be staged over several years — yet only the components of our master plan that are the highest priority and fit CSFRR guidelines have been included in this application.” GRCC had a previous application for CSRFF funding knocked back last year, but conditions of the fund’s grants have since changed to allow for applications to cover up to 50 per cent of a project’s cost. The council also voted in favour of approving a total contribution of $190,575 from its budget to support the projects as long as the club secured funding for their completion, either through the CSRFF or other means. Cr Sandie Smith said it was a shame the council had to rank the applications as part of the process laid out by the State Government. “We want both of them to succeed,” she said.