After an extended period of community consultation within Moonee Valley City Council, and a recent Council meeting vote, JH Allan Reserve in Keilor East will receive a much-needed lighting upgrade.
Lighting upgrades at JH Allan Reserve had previously been considered by Moonee Valley City Council and were confirmed to proceed, following a formal vote at the Council meeting on Tuesday 24 March.
Football Victoria, alongside five Moonee Valley Council clubs, launched a petition ahead of the council meeting which received resounding 624 signatures in support. This petition supported an in-person consultation session attended by more than 50 club representatives.
Moonee Ponds United SC are JH Allan Reserve’s primary tenants, but increased capacity at the site will also benefit other clubs such as Essendon Royals FC, Avondale FC, FC Strathmore and the Moonee Valley Knights.
The installation of lighting at the facility not only unlocks the ability for the pitches to be used later into the evening, but will also increase the safety of players, coaches, families and the local community.
Football Victoria Head of Government Relations and Strategy Lachlan Cole was thrilled with the result and support from the wider football community.
“As one of the only facilities within Moonee Valley not shared with other codes, ensuring that JH Allan Reserve meets the needs of our participants is crucial for Football Victoria.
“It was fantastic to see participants and officials from those five clubs come together, support this project, and unite to speak on behalf of their needs. And it was even more heartening to see the wider football community throw their support behind the development by signing the petition.
“Football Victoria applauds the support of Moonee Valley City Council and its staff, as lighting up JH Allan Reserve allows these clubs to utilise the facility more often and provide greater participation opportunities for families within Moonee Valley City Council.”
Construction on the lights at JH Allan Reserve will commence later this year.