Sporting fun to light up

Paraburdoo sports enthusiasts will soon be able to enjoy day and night games as more than half a million dollars is being pumped into improvement works on a local oval.

Works have begun on Judy Woodvine Oval to add new lighting, dug-outs and fencing as part of a $600,000 plan to transform the town’s sporting facilities.

Paraburdoo Tee Ball Association vice-president Kirk Sanchez said club members were very excited about the renovation works.

“We may only be a small town, but our sporting community is large and with the completion of the renovations of Judy Woodvine Oval we have a greater opportunity to be able to hold night games and training sessions,” he said.

“The Judy Woodvine renovations will become a great venue for tee ball and we hope to build on the successes of last season.”

Shire of Ashburton president Kerry White said the works would be of great benefit to the softball, soccer and rugby communities.

“Sport and recreation is an integral part of living in remote regions such as ours, providing a social outlet to form friendships, participate in team events and to promote fitness and wellbeing,” she said.

“Providing quality sporting and leisure facilities is essential to creating connected and thriving communities.”

Works have also begun on the highly anticipated dog exercise area sponsored by Rio Tinto that will feature shaded areas and multiple access points.

General manager of Rio Tinto’s Paraburdoo operations Kent Franey said the development of these two projects would further support the vibrancy of the local community.

“Rio Tinto is proud to hold a long-term partnership with the Shire of Ashburton that focuses on making the region a better place to live, work and play through improving the liveability of regional towns like Paraburdoo,” he said.

Both projects are expected to be completed by April this year.