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Council removes sports ground fees for schools

In a move to encourage fitness in the municipality’s young people, Latrobe City will no longer be charging fees for schools utilising Latrobe City sporting grounds.

By Latrobe City Council - 6th September 2006 - Back to News

Previously, schools were charged a $30 booking and administration fee to run sporting activities on council’s ovals and playing fields. In a council initiative, primary schools and high schools in Latrobe City will now be able to hold their sporting related activities on the council facilities without cost.

Latrobe City mayor, Cr Lisa Price, said that the decision to remove fees was made to support schools targeting a healthier lifestyle for their students.

"Physical activity is a key to living a healthy lifestyle, and a healthy lifestyle is vital to ensuring we maintain a happy and healthy community in years to come. It is important for our young residents to have opportunities provided by schools to participate in sports, and as a consequence enjoy the benefits of being physically active while they’re at school," Cr Price said.

"By removing fees for the use of council’s ovals and playing fields, we hope schools will be encouraged to develop additional sporting programs for their pupils using the wonderful facilities available in their local area.

"We also hope that the money saved on using council sports grounds will be invested back into enhancing sport in schools, such as through more sporting equipment and development programs," Cr Price added.

Latrobe City’s recreation development officer, Simon Clark, said that while schools will no longer be charged for use of council ovals and playing fields for sporting activities, fees will still apply where the facilities are used for carnivals, fetes or non sporting activities. "It also needs to be noted that fees will still apply for the use of major infrastructure such as council’s leisure centres, stadiums, outdoor pools and the Joe Carmody Athletics Track.

Mr Clark said the importance of exercise in contributing to good health is being increasingly recognised.

"As little as 30 minutes a day of physical activity improves bones and muscles, reduces the risk of illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, and increases overall energy levels.

"Importantly, the lifestyle we adopt while young tends to stay with us for a lifetime. By council encouraging the municipality’s schools to provide sports programs and helping to facilitate this, our young citizens are being provided with a good start in life. The health of the Latrobe community further down the track can only be enhanced as a result," Mr Clark concluded.

Schools utilising council’s ovals and playing fields are required to book the facilities in advance to ensure availability, and so that appropriate ground maintenance can be scheduled. For bookings contact Simon Clark, telephone 1300 367 700.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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