The federal Liberal Party has announced it will spend $1.3 million to help install synthetic turf at Sutherlands Park, the home of the Southern River Hockey Club, if re-elected next month.
Club president John Heath said the lack of suitable turf meant teams had been forced to travel to other locations to play home games for the past 11 years.
“Both my daughters play in the first grade side and to actually see our children play here is something we’ve all strived to achieve – it’s a dream come true,” he said.
“It’s been a lot of hard yards and to see it come to fruition, words can’t describe it.”
Liberal candidate for Burt Matt O’Sullivan said funding sporting projects such as this was critical.
“We’ve got to get kids away from screens and get them out playing sport because it’s good for health, community and friendships because this is what makes communities strong,” he said.
Senator Linda Reynolds, who has been campaigning for the funding, said it was important children growing up in the southeastern suburbs had the same access to the good quality sporting grounds as the rest of Perth.
City of Gosnells mayor Olwen Searle said the city, along with Hockey WA, would also contribute funding to the project.
