STRONGER COUNTRY COMMUNITIES FUND SERVES UP $97,655 TO HELP SQUASH PLAYERS KEEP A COOL HEAD
Monday, 19 November 2018
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke served up a winner for Cootamundra’s squash community today as she presented a cheque for more than $97,000.
Ms Cooke met members of Cootamundra Squash Association to present a cheque for $97,655 as part of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 2.
“It’s so exciting to be able to present this grant funding to members of Cootamundra Squash Association because it will provide some critical upgrades to their playing facilities,” Ms Cooke said.
“The squash courts are currently without any insulation under the tin roof so it gets cold in winter and hot in summer.
“Playing such an intense game as squash at any point on a summer day would be pretty uncomfortable, while in winter it would take a while to get the players warmed up and the ball warmed up too, despite the current natural gas heating system.
“And in squash, the temperature of the court really affects how the ball plays, so the ability to control the environment will make for a much more enjoyable game,” Ms Cooke said.
Phil Bowden of the Cootamundra Squash Association said the ability to control the temperature in the court will help maintain attendance numbers throughout the year.
“It’s a huge step forward for us,” Mr Bowden said. “We lose a lot of players in the middle of summer and in the middle of winter, so this grant will enable a total refurbishment of the courts.
“It’ll have a huge effect on our players, and hopefully it’ll encourage our players who drop out at different times of the year because it’s too hot or too cold.
“A lot of sports are suffering a lack of numbers, especially a lot of the traditional sports, so hopefully we’ll get a few people coming back to the sport because it’s much more comfortable to play,” he added.
The $300 million Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $1.6 billion Regional Growth Fund that is employing local tradies, putting local suppliers to work and providing the right environment to operate regional businesses.
For more information, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/strongercountrycommunities.
CAPTION: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke with Cllr Stewie Stewart of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council and Phil Bowden of Cootamundra Squash Association.
