Members of the Ellinbank Badminton Club and local community have gathered to officially unveil upgrades to the clubrooms and kitchen facilities in concert with the club’s milestone 75th anniversary celebrations.
Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Michael Leaney was joined by President of the Ellinbank Badminton Club Ken Young, representatives of the Mid Gippsland Badminton Senior and Junior associations, Cr Peter Kostos and community members to officially celebrate the club improvements which were made possible with a $10,000 Minor Capital Works grant from Baw Baw Shire Council’s annual Community Development Grants program.
As part of the grant funding, the club completed a range of works including:
- Electrical switchboard upgrades to meet current standards
- Two new sliding doors with safety glass for all ability access
- Wall linings and fixings
- Installation of new kitchen cupboards, backsplash, supper table and appliances
- Fitting of new wet area floor tiles.
The renovations were officially completed in early 2021 using local supplies and trades with much of the hard work undertaken by the club’s volunteers themselves, however with the disruptions of Covid19 the club were not able to reap the benefits until recently.
Ellinbank Badminton Club President Ken Young was thrilled with the outcome. “The project has been a huge success for our club,” said Mr Young “It has been required for many years as the old kitchen was small and hard to work in. Players from other clubs have been telling us how great it is, and the parents of our juniors and after school program children are also impressed with the improvement.
We have already seen an increase of members in our club and believe that as we provide better facilities, we will gain more members and therefore continue to support our local rural area”.
Council is currently accepting grant applications for its 2022 Community Development Grants Program. Community groups and non-profit organisations are encouraged to apply for support of up to $5,000 for equipment or environment-related projects.
Applications can be made through Council’s website until Tuesday 31 May 2022.
Quote attributable to Mayor Cr Michael Leaney
“Through Council’s annual Community Development Grants Program, the Ellinbank Badminton Club was able to develop a more modern, safe and accessible space that can help encourage further participation in local sport for our smaller communities.
It was a pleasure to join the club and surrounding sporting groups on Sunday as they officially showcased the incredible upgrade works and a fitting way to celebrate the clubs 75th anniversary.”
Image: Ellinbank Badminton Club members past and present celebrating along with the community.
Image: Ellinbank Badminton Club celebrating their 75th anniversary
