South Gippsland Shire Council will this week send off the final round of payments to recreation reserves under the $2 million COVID-19 Community Support Package. The $2 million COVID-19 Community Support Package offered funding to support community and not-for-profit organisations operating in South Gippsland. At the October Council meeting, a portion of this fund was allocated to the volunteer recreation reserves within the municipality in recognition of the challenges being faced by committees and clubs with the cancellation of activities due to COVID-19.
Twenty of our local recreation reserves have been allocated funding under the package, a welcome relief after a tough year for many. A feature of the program was to ensure the money flowed quickly to reserves to help the committees, clubs and community to resume normal activities. With this final payment, that brings the total amount of funds paid to recreation reserves from Council to $377,000 this financial year. These funds help reserve volunteers and clubs to maintain their facilities that are utilised by so many people in the community.
Allan Summerfield Korumburra Recreation Reserve’s Secretary/Treasurer welcomed the financial relief extended thanks to the package.
“This payment will be much appreciated by our committee in helping us keep our reserve to the standard we want.”
Walter J Tuck Recreation Reserve’s Secretary Rachael Vansittart commented on how the relief allowed the reserve to pass on the savings to sporting clubs.
“Fees for clubs who have been unable to use [the] facilities over the 2020 winter season will be waived or refunded if already paid. We are very excited to be able to offer this to our groups and wish to thank South Gippsland Shire Council for being proactive in the area of financial hardship”