Grant seals the deal

PAKENHAM’S town hall car park will be sealed in a move that should help improve parking around the central business district.
The project was one of several announced under the Cardinia Shire Council’s community grants allocations.
Mayor Kate Lempriere announced the successful recipients at a special reception at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
A total of 47 community groups in Cardinia Shire will get a slice of grants worth almost $425,000.
Recreation reserves and sports clubs were among the big winners at the community capital works grants presentation, receiving 26 of the grants for works including facility upgrades and water usage reduction initiatives.
Kindergartens were also well-represented, with 10 grants for works such as upgrades to toilets and facilities, playgrounds and outdoor projects.
Other recipients included hall committees, community centres, and senior citizen groups.
The annual grants are available to not-for-profit and community groups to help them improve facilities that are being used to promote local community networks and support family wellbeing.
All projects are funded on a dollar-for-dollar basis – the council provides half the cost of the successful project – but volunteer labour can be included in the committees’ contribution to the project.
The grants provide for building extensions and improvements, playing surface improvements, lighting projects, and built-in or fixed equipment.
The council said its aim was to progressively upgrade facilities from which community organisations provide services to the community, and seek to foster people’s participation.
Pakenham projects include:
• Upgrade of facilities at Andrews Community Kindergarten;
• Repaint Pakenham Senior Citizens hall and replace toilet cistern with dual flush;
• Canteen extension and gym room at Pakenham Football Club;
• Junior pavilion veranda and lighting upgrade at Pakenham Junior Football Club;
• Seating project at Pakenham Kindergarten;
• Resurfacing of jump run-ups at Pakenham Little Athletics Centre;
• Paint main pavilion at Toomuc Recreation Reserve; and
• Interior painting of Pakenham South Community Hall.