Sel Bonnell Oval in Cooroy is now shining brighter than ever, thanks to a major lighting upgrade.
The project, which includes installation of four new light towers and energy-efficient lights, was delivered by the Queensland Government through the SEQ Community Stimulus Program, Noosa Council and Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket’s Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said the upgrades were a major boost for local sporting clubs and the wider community.
“This is a great example of our Council staff working with local clubs, state government and national sporting bodies to improve local facilities and opportunities for our residents,” Mayor Wilkie said.
“Council appreciates the continued investment from the Queensland Government and Australian Cricket to help deliver this important infrastructure upgrade.
“It gives local sporting clubs who use Sel Bonnell Oval the flexibility to train and play well into the evening, opening up more opportunities for participation.”
That’s certainly the case for Cooroora United Football Club, whose 32 teams utilise Sel Bonnell Oval year-round.
“Our club has players aged from four to 70 years old and having these new lights will enable us to conduct more training sessions and skills clinics, especially for juniors as it is usually dark by 5pm in winter,” Club Secretary Barry Luckman said.
“So this will give youngsters from Eumundi, Tewantin, Cooran and even Gympie more opportunities to spend time doing physical activity and socialising with peers.”
The lighting upgrade is also a game-changer for Cooroy-Eumundi Cricket Club’s four senior and three junior teams.
“This will allow our club to participate in day-night cricket and to train later into the evening, benefiting members who work late,” Club President David McVey said.
“We’ve already seen an increase in members this year knowing that the lights have been installed, with everyone eager to participate in a new form of cricket.
“We’d like to thank Noosa Council for the install of these lights and the ongoing support you show our club. Without the Council’s support it would be difficult for our club to exist.”
The Queensland Government, through the 2024-27 South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program, proudly contributed $500,000 to support the successful completion of this exciting community project.
Council also received a $40,000 grant from Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket via the 2024-25 Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund program to help fund the lighting upgrade.
“This is one of over 300 projects the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund (ACIF) has helped to deliver for community cricket across Queensland since the ACIF was established in 2018,” Queensland Cricket’s State Infrastructure Manager, Tom Gibson said.
The timber poles from the old light towers are set to be repurposed by Noosa Council’s bridge team for future use, giving them a second life in local infrastructure.
