Balmoral Little Athletics Club is committed to providing the best facilities and equipment to aid in the development of our athlete base and for those groups that come to us looking for assistance with their coaching or competition.
The Centre has budgeted over the past years to continually upgrade and / or replace equipment as it is becomes necessary. Items such as high jump bars are subject to breakage even in a controlled environment and in such a large group other items just wear out or disappear.
More intensive projects that we have budgeted for and accomplished in the past few years include:
- Automatic sprinkler system
- Field realignment to achieve 8 lanes circular
- Electronic timing gates – 2 sets
- Tablets for each age group for electronic entry of results to reduce waste paper and to provide real time recording of results
- Field wide secure wi-fi network to allow live results
- Tartan long jump / triple jump run-ups including additional pits to improve competition night efficiency
Some of these projects have been completed with the aid of Grant Funding through various levels of Government or private sponsors. We have recently been successful, via our lanldlord, in obtaining a government grant for flood mitigation works and minor clubhouse upgrade. Some of you may be aware that under heavy rain conditions the waters flow across the oval toward the clubhouse, hit the clubhouse and then divert either side. Unfortunately with the floor level of the old clubhouse being lower than the newer amenities building some water enters the building through openings / under doors and proceeds through the clubhouse to the back wall wetting everything in its way. Sandbags only work for so long so when the opportunity arose we submitted applications for remedial work. 3rdtime was the charm, and whilst we did not achieve full funding, we did manage to obtain a $100,000 grant towards these works. The centre must contribute 25% on top of this to acquit the grant – all GST exclusive figures.
Works have commenced and most the external work has been completed – fence, gates and water station not withstanding. Minor building works will commence shortly to the extent of the available funds with some works requiring volunteer assistance to get us over the line.
We appreciate all the help and support of our landlord – Clem Jones Centre, our club partner – Easts Carina Leagues Club and all levels of government to achieve our goals.
