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Vol. 8 Wednesday, May 25, 2011
BHP Billiton lights up Roxby By Millie Thomas
The sporting community in Roxby Downs is about to thrive, thanks to a generous donation from BHP Billiton. BHP Billiton has stepped up to fund brand new lighting for the Roxby Downs Oval, donating $1.295 million towards the project, which will greatly improve the required luminance levels for sports training, matches and community events. “We’re thrilled to be able to support the Roxby Downs community by funding the new lights for the oval,” says BHP Billiton Project Sponsor Jason Schell. “We believe our investment will contribute to an improved usage of the oval, particularly in summer when it’s often too hot to use the oval during the day. “We see there are significant health benefits in enabling people to get out and exercise on the oval at night-time in summer. “In addition, the new lights will also mean that winter sports such as football and cricket matches in summer will now be able to be
played in Roxby Downs, reducing travelling times and safety issues associated with the current arrangement whilst attracting more spectators and creating a family environment to showcase the many sports we offer in the town.” Roxby Downs Council Administrator Bill Boehm says Council is looking forward to working with BHP Billiton on the lighting project. “Council is looking forward to seeing the new lights up and operational,” he said. “We will also be undertaking a study to evaluate placing the existing lights on the smaller school oval which will enable sports training and an alternative venue to be available for other sporting groups and thereby also assist in reducing the wear and tear that we currently experience on the main oval.” The new lighting for the oval will include four 30m-high sports field lighting columns, which will be operated via a control panel located in the existing clubhouse. BHP Billiton will provide construction management services for the new installation, with the project getting started in July 2011 after
the regulatory approval and planning process and expected to be completed by summer this year. Sporting group presidents across the community are thrilled by this initiative. Roxby Downs Cricket Association President, Craig Wilson said it will help expand the league. “They will be a huge benefit, as we will be able to play night games in town allowing guys on day shift to play as well as our Friday night 20/20 games and the possibility of twilight Sunday 20/20 games,” said Mr Wilson. “We will look at a junior comp which could play before the 20/20 games. We would hopefully get more attendance to our games as the times will more suit spectators. “Celebrity games and fund raisers will be much easier to stage as well.” Mr Wilson stated that in the four years he has been involved with the association they have been pushing for the project. “Cricket will be more accessible as the game times will be more in line with the lifestyle of the town. “We will no longer be forced to play in the heat of the day and it will allow spectators to enjoy watching our games in the comfort of a
twilight atmosphere.” Junior Football League President Matthew Daddow said the lights will benefit the Friday night U10 and U12 junior games. “This is great news for sporting clubs in and around Roxby, especially from a junior football perspective,” said Mr Daddow. “The expanded U16 competition left us with little option but to play the U10’s on a Friday night to free up time on a Saturday to accommodate the extra teams, this week sees the U12 competition also move to a Friday night due to oval availability. “Lighting is an issue for us at the moment and we thought long and hard about whether the players could handle the poor lighting we currently have, and although we will make do with what we have at the moment, the new lights will certainly make it easier for the players, and spectators. “The sooner this happens the better. “The options are now endless, with the Far North Football League maybe also wanting to play some Friday and Saturday night football. This is long overdue and we must thank BHP Billiton for their community support.”
Sporting groups united in support
Representatives from BHP Billiton, Roxby Downs Council and local sporting clubs and associations take a look at the plans for the lighting upgrade (front, seated) Tyler Odgers, Baiden Gambrell, Matthew Wilder (back, from left) Peter Keller, Craig Wilson, Jason Schell, Robert Charman, Michael Esposito, Trevor Brougham, Brad Cox, Todd Thomas, Graham Warren and Nigel Thompson.