Sunny Courts for Inverell Basketball Association
25 August 2021
DOES your not-for-profit community-based group need financial assistance to purchase new equipment, construct a new facility or host an event? Good news: round 2 of the Sapphire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund is now open.
Twice each year, the fund provides financial contributions to local community projects and initiatives that will help to enhance the Inverell Shire community’s quality of like and wellbeing.
As part of the first fund release for 2021, the Inverell Basketball Association received over $16,000 in funding to upgrade the internal and external lighting at the local basketball stadium. President, Tane Richards says without the funding from the Sapphire Wind Farm, the project would still be on the back burner.
“The new lighting has made an amazing difference. The whole floor area is now lit up like a sunny day, making it perfect for our youngsters who play their games across the court.”
“Thanks to the fund, we now have sensor lights at the main entry doors, in the car park and across to the external toilet block, making the area much safer as well as nice and bright.”
“We have wanted to upgrade the lighting for quite a while, but the project was out of reach for our association’s budget, so we are very thankful for the support from the Sapphire Wind Farm.”
Sapphire Wind Farm Facility Manager, David Williamson says it is pleasing to be able to provide long term community support to these local organisations, following the environmental and social impacts on the area in the last 12 months.
“After the environmental and social impacts on the Inverell community in the past year, local community groups have proved their commitment, hard work and innovation, so it’s very rewarding when we can help them achieve their projects and programs through the benefit fund.”
“Since the Sapphire Wind Farm became operational, there have been five funding releases, helping to support 56 local organisations.”
“The application process has been kept streamlined to encourage as many community groups as possible to participate. I look forward to seeing an increased number of applicants for the next fund release.”
Mr Richards echoed Mr Williamson’s comment, saying “the whole application process was very clear and simple, compared to many other grant applications, which is really important for groups who may not have applied for grants before.”
Applications for round 2 of the Sapphire Wind Farm Community Fund are now open and close at 4pm on Friday, 24 September 2021.
The fund’s eligibility guidelines and application forms are available here or by calling Council on (02) 6728 8288.
The new lighting will benefit the Inverell Basketball Association, as well as all other groups and individuals who utilise the showground.
Media Contact:
Fiona Adams
Inverell Shire Council | PO Box 138 | Inverell NSW 2360 | (02) 6728 8288 | Fiona.Adams@inverell.nsw.gov.au
