MYRTLEFORD’S McNamara Reserve will undergo its biggest improvement since the revamp of the Ablett Pavilion six years ago with a $238,000 lighting upgrade for the oval and netball courts.
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The lighting at the Alpine Saints homeground will be boosted to AFL training standard which opens the possibility of playing twilight matches in future Ovens and Murray seasons.
Alpine Council successfully applied for a $100,000 grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria’s country football and netball program.
The amount was topped up by a further $138,000 from the shire.
The pavilion upgrade works cost over $500,000.
McNamara Reserve committee of management chairman Bob McNamara said the lighting upgrade would be welcomed by Alpine Saints players.
"It took us about 15 years to get the pavilion works done and we are starting to get on a bit of a roll now," he said.
"Considering the candle lights the boys have been training under for the last 20 years it will be sensational (for us).
"The netball lighting will allow for midweek night tennis and is definitely on the agenda."
The lighting upgrade could also result in more junior football being played at McNamara Reserve.
The council contribution equates to a one-off rates contribution of around $12 per ratepayer and the grant comes on the back of a $148,000 surface and lighting upgrade for the netball courts which is nearing completion.
Council assets director Charlie Bird said the project included the replacement of existing oval light towers with new 25-metre towers.
“There will also be two new light towers installed at the netball courts to complete the lighting for all courts,” he said.
"The power supply to the reserve will also be upgraded to support the new lighting.
“The goal of this project is to extend the time that the oval and netball courts can be used, encouraging increased community participation in sport and recreation activities."
Works will start early in the 2016-17 financial year and be completed by December next year.
The Alpine Saints homeground is named after Mr McNamara's father Charlie who died suddenly in 1982.
He played for Myrtleford when the club joined the O and M in 1950.
He also coached the Alpine Saints' first under-18 team when the competition was introduced in 1973.
The committee of management has recently submitted a funding application for netball changerooms at the ground.
