Penola sporting clubs have got an extra spring in their step thanks to the recent announcement by the Federal Government the township has recently received a $1.437m grant through the Growing Regions Program – Round 2 initiative.
The funds are for earmarked for the Penola Football Club and Community Sports Hub Redevelopment Project which will see a $3.2m redevelopment of the two-storey building at the McCorquindale Park precinct off Cameron Street.
The idea of upgrading the ground floor changerooms – originally built in 1979, and replacing the ramp that connects the two levels of the clubrooms, was first raised in 2017 but did not gain momentum until 2021 when it morphed into a project with a much bigger vision.
Penola Football Club spokesperson Marcus Devereux said he was still coming to terms with the magnitude of the recent announcement made by Regional Development Minister Catherine King.
“I’m excited, I’m over the moon … and to be honest, relieved! It’s been such a huge undertaking for the last couple of years to get everything in place,” he said.
“This redevelopment project is going to create a new look sporting and community facility that everyone in the community can benefit from, and more importantly, it will position Penola to be a proper regional hub for lots of sporting codes, community events and business forums.
“This project has now got lots of locals talking. It’s fantastic because when more people are talking it up the word spreads about this awesome project and that’s exactly what we want to see happening.”
Mr Devereux said the club was still actively raising funds before the building works could commence at the end of the 2025 football season in August.
“We still need to find another $600,000 so we are applying for any grant opportunity we can, and we are talking to more businesses and individuals who might be prepared to donate funds or help us offset the costs of construction materials,” he said.
“Every dollar helps! I know we have a very generous and supportive community because we have raised so much already but we all need to talk about this important project and activate our networks to get this project fully funded and ready to start in August.”
