Female changerooms and reimagined grounds are a step closer for the Albury Thunder Junior Rugby League Club.
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After years of grant applications, the club committee were advised by Albury Council this week that the NSW government has allocated $350,000 to its plans.
President Scott Harris said it was an important kick-start, with the club working with the council to develop a masterplan.
"Initial plans for 2021 are we'll duplicate the existing building and put in female changerooms and new facilities," he said.
"I wouldn't like to put a figure on it ... even with that $350,000, we do need some additional funding.
"We're looking at some grants Clubs NSW have available at the moment.
"The funding is very welcome.
"On a normal game day, we can have up to 600 kids here ... and we've only got two changerooms.
"Kids were getting changed on the field. One mum had actually sewed up a hula hoop with material, and would pick it up off the ground for the kids to get changed."
Mr Harris said the club hadn't yet hired a container for a changeroom, and would reasses next season.
"We haven't actually opened changerooms this year with COVID, and we're minimising spaces to clean," he said.
"Council have been fantastic and have cleaned the toilets for us after each training run."
A 1.8 metre-high black cyclone fence with pedestrian gates will be installed in coming weeks, and Albury Council has launched online consultation for changes to Sarvaas Park.
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"The fence is wholly Albury Council - that was passed by the councillors three or four months ago," Mr Harris said.
"The plan is to relocate the playground and we'll develop a new green space for an additional field.
"The other thing we're looking at is lighting - that's all part of the masterplan.
"We've had a record year of registrations with a few other sports not going ahead in COVID."
Cheryl Brigden's daughters have played league tag for a number of years.
"Numbers have grown ... the more people learn about the game, the better it becomes," she said.