Sustainable sports clubs light the way
Players enjoying the brighter lights at Ormond Tennis Club. Sustainability Victoria has powered up Ormond Tennis Club and Bayswater Bowls Club to take charge of their energy bills by improving energy efficiency at their community facilities.
Supported by grants from the Victorian Government’s Community Climate Change and Energy Action fund, these projects are cutting costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
The sporting clubs can ensure tennis and bowls are accessible to more people in the community by keeping fees affordable as a result of the energy cost savings.
New LED lights were installed at 2 of the 5 courts at Ormond Tennis Club, reducing energy use as well as maintenance and replacement costs. Their old incandescent floodlights used approximately 13kWh in comparison to the LED bulbs which use 5kWh, resulting in a 60% reduction in energy use.
According to Club President Steve Gelagin, the new lighting has had many important benefits for the community.
“We’re not only cutting emissions and our energy bills, but the funding contribution has meant the club has been able to put more of its own funds towards other projects that increase participation in tennis, improving the physical health and mental wellbeing of the community."
Several other tennis clubs that received grants through this program reported that the LED lights are a much higher quality light that turn on instantly, which can make players feel safer at night.
This funding application and project was supported by Glen Eira City Council, with the municipality also receiving funding through the Community Climate Change and Energy Action program for 4 other community facility projects.
Glen Eira Mayor, Cr Jim Magee said the availability of the grant funds was an excellent opportunity for Council to support several local clubs to improve facilities and reduce carbon emissions.
“Social groups in our community, such as sporting clubs, are excellent role models that normalise and encourage others in the community to take action to save energy in their own lives,” said Cr Magee.
“Ormond Tennis Club was one of several energy efficiency projects in our city that was fortunate to receive funding via the Victorian Government’s Community Climate Change and Energy Action fund.”
Steve Gelagin, President, Ormond Tennis Club and Cr Jim Magee, Glen Eira Mayor. Bayswater Bowls Club is also beaming after their energy upgrade, with a new solar and battery system saving over 24 tonnes of carbon each year.
Their annual electricity bill has been cut by more than $9,000 and they expect to save $180,000 over the life of the project.
Club president Alistair Smith said the solar installation is part of a wider improvement program.
“As part of our progress, we’ve been gradually improving our lighting system by converting to LED and upgrading the wiring and switchboard systems,” Alistair said.
“Solar has always been on our wish list, but being a small club whose members are on a fixed income, our finances were limited.
“The money we’ll save thanks to this upgrade will be used not just to continue with our improvement program, but also to enable us to make our club available for others to use at the lowest cost possible.”
Learn more about projects funded by the Community Climate Change Energy Action program.
We’re also collecting stories about community action that we've supported through our grants and programs.