Pictured (from left) Sport Minister Phil Reeves, Pacific Pines Junior Jackson Dunn, Member for Gaven Dr Alex Douglas, Gold Coast Suns player Piers Flanagan and Pacific Pines Club President Gavin Dunn
Sport Minister Phil Reeves has announced that the Queensland State Government will provide $300,000 in funding for Pacific Pines Junior AFC.
The club will use the funding boost to build a range of facilities including change rooms, a canteen, gymnasium, office, first aid room, training and education room, and amenities block to support AFL at Pacific Pines.
It’s a much needed win for the club, who lost over $20,000 worth of structures and equipment when vandals torched their only portable building midway through the year.
In presenting Pacific Pines Club President Gavin Dunn with a cheque at the club’s McAuley Parade ground, Mr Reeves said that the facilities will provide a major boost to the community and provide a great resource for the development of future champions.
“As a government, we want to make sure our local sport and recreation clubs have the best facilities so they can continue to provide that vital community service,” he said.
“We know that clubs are the lifeblood of communities, and by funding new facilities, upgrades and developments, the Bligh Government is helping to secure the future of grassroots sport.
“This infrastructure funding is a win-win situation as it will create jobs and provide locals with the infrastructure they need to get up, get out and get active.
“This community loves its sport, and we want to encourage them to get involved in sport and recreation by providing new and improved facilities.
“Ultimately, this will help local organisations develop and thrive, and will help increase their membership numbers.”
AFL Queensland CEO Richard Griffiths said that it was a great result for the community.
“This is a wonderful outcome for one of our fledgling clubs on the Gold Coast who will now be able to provide a quality environment for its participants and volunteers through the construction of new change rooms,” said Mr Griffiths.
“I would like to thank Minister Reeves and the Department for once again demonstrating its commitment to grass roots AFL through this funding and more broadly for its support of community sport across Queensland.”
Special guests on hand for the cheque presentation ceremony included State Member for Gaven Dr Alex Douglas, Gold Coast Suns player Piers Flanagan and ex Pacific Pines Club President Gary Goodman.
