The Lucknow Recreation Reserve change rooms will undergo a $1.15 million redevelopment, bringing them up to modern standards, under an elected Liberal Nationals Government.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, on Friday announced the Coalition will provide $650,000 towards the badly needed upgrades, partnering with East Gippsland Shire Council to deliver the project.

“This is one of the most outdated facilities across the East Gippsland Shire, with the change rooms and amenities being prioritised by council for a major redevelopment,” he said.

“Having inspected the facility only recently, it seems there has been very little change since when I played and coached the footy club here about 20 years ago – and even then it was outdated.

“The rooms and amenities are used regularly by Lucknow’s football, netball and cricket clubs, school students and other groups, such as Relay for Life, so it is important we provide safe, compliant and modern facilities to continue to support active participation here.”

Lucknow Football Netball Club treasurer, Tania McNamara, said part of the upgrades would include the establishment of netball changing facilities, which currently do not exist.

“This will allow us to attract new netballers from as young as five to the club and we believe modern facilities will help us retain all our active members, so we thank Tim for his support and this commitment,” Mrs McNamara said.

Mr Bull said sporting clubs played critical roles in country communities.

“I firmly believe one of the best ways we can address some of the problems we experience in wider society is to get people, especially young people, involved in and with sport, and to do that we must provide modern facilities,” he said.