A new million-dollar clubroom facility now open at the Ian ‘Jessie’ James sportsground will provide better support to local sporting clubs and their members.
Home to the Wellington Cricket Club and Glenorchy Rugby Union Football Club and also shared by the Glenorchy Knights Junior Football Club, the facility provides for the much-needed upgrade that the users have been looking forward to.
Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas said the $1.19 million development would help support an array of grassroots sporting teams who use the ground and facilities.
“This new facility will further underpin the Glenorchy community’s love of sport.
“We are providing better infrastructure for sporting clubs so they can continue to thrive and provide even more opportunities for people to participate in sport, whether it’s as a player or club volunteer.
“Glenorchy City Council is thrilled to be able to support this project which goes to the very heart of ensuring grassroots sport can thrive and offer every opportunity for people to get involved.
“Council has helped deliver a facility that will transform the way these sportsgrounds are used and loved. Glenorchy has a rich sporting history and we aim to encourage activities that bring families and communities together to play, exercise and compete.
“This project has delivered new home and away change rooms, an umpire’s room, a scorer’s room, a first-aid facility, along with new toilets, a canteen and bar facilities as well as a function space to support club and community events.
“Sport and sporting clubs are very much part of the rich fabric of our community, and the council is extremely excited to see this project completed and open for use,” Mayor Thomas said.
Despite cost-increases and labour challenges that impacted the entire construction sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was delivered on schedule and within budget.
“I congratulate everyone involved in getting this new facility off paper and out of the ground. It has been an immense effort and one that the entire community can rightly be proud.”
The new facility was funded with $1 million from the Australian Government’s Community Development Grants Program, $113,000 from Glenorchy City Council and a further $77,000 from the State Government’s Community Sport and Recreation Grants Program.
“Local sporting grounds and facilities are a hub for our communities across greater Hobart,” Senator the Hon. Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, said.
“I was proud to open the new sporting facilities, which received $1,000,000 of Australian Government funding.”
