MUSWELLBROOK Shire Council's Sport and Recreation Large and Small Capital Grants Program is now open for applications from local sporting and community groups.
Grants will be awarded for maintenance, refurbishment and improvements to, or replacement of public sporting or recreation facilities within the shire and are available on a matched funding (dollar-for-dollar) basis up to a value of $2000 per project (small category grants) and $50,000 (large category grants).
The grants program is in addition to council's General Recreation Program, which funds works for the community's fields, facilities and playgrounds.
It was introduced by council following a recommendation from council's Sport and Recreation Committee that grants should be made available to assist with improvements to community sport and recreation facilities.
The goal of the program is to improve facilities and create tighter bonds between council and user groups, whilst building capacity within sporting associations.
The need for matched funding assists in community building within user groups through group-based fundraising meetings and events and engenders a greater sense of pride and sense of ownership of the facilities.
It also helps to encourage clubs to continue to operate sustainably at the same time as they address the cost of wear and tear on equipment and facilities.
In previous years the grants program has been fully subscribed and received in every instance a great proposal for funding.
Council has been pleased to award funding to a variety of facility improvements across the shire and looks forward to doing so again in the latest round.
The grants program is a great opportunity for council to assist local sporting and community groups, to afford a higher standard of equipment and facilities for the entire community to enjoy.
The large grants initiative has provided funding assistance for concrete tiered seating, field lighting, a discus cage and the widening of cricket pitches.
Applications for this round of funding close on October 11 and grant application forms and guidelines are available from the Muswellbrook Shire Council Administration building or from council's web site www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au
