Mount Isa Hockey Association's clubhouse will receive a revamp after successfully obtaining $34,535 in Queensland funding.
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Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D'Ath, travelled to Mount Isa on Tuesday January 21 to congratulate the recipients who were being funded through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
Mount Isa Hockey Association (MIHA) representative and events coordinator, Hope Philip, greeted Ms D'Ath at the hockey grounds where they inspected the damage to the old clubhouse roof.
"The clubhouse was built a long time ago, around the 60s, by very dedicated hockey families," Ms Philip said.
"As time has gone on the deterioration has occurred and we are at the point where we need a new roof and guttering to make it a safe environment for the families to enjoy.
"So we put the grant in to make sure that we are doing the best that we can to supply a good facility and entice more players to the sport."
Ms Philip said the grant provided relief to the club, who without it would take a five year plan to fix the roof.
"We have been lobbying for this upgrade for the last five years and now by receiving the grant this is something that can be done in 2020," she said.
"This upgrade will come off the back of other upgrades made at the grounds, including new pathways and amenities block."
Ms D'Ath said it was lovely to be at the hockey grounds and see what the grant was going to do for the local community.
"These grants are so important, $35,000 may not sound like a lot but it is money that organisations are not taking out of their current funds and taking away from programs for kids, and support of representational sport," she said.
"I am standing here at the hockey club and looking at ceiling going, 'this is worth every cent of this grant'."
Other Mount Isa organisations received grants from the same program.
Creche and Kindergarten Association got $25,679 to purchase education resourced, Injilinji Preschool and Kindergarten Association was awarded $21,545 to upgrade flooring and Mount Isa Underground Hospital and Museum received $33,220 to upgrade the tent house.
The Mount Isa grant recipients were part of 31 organisations in North West Queensland who shared in $773,615.
"The Queensland Government is investing in improved facilities for 31 community groups across Mount Isa and the North West," Ms D'Ath said.
"These funds will make a huge difference to these organisations, which deliver important services to residents in Mount Isa and the North West."
READ MORE: Mount Isa yarn bombing to continue in 2020.
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