VISITORS to Pickering Brook Sports Club can now enjoy playing later into the evening with the turning on of its brand-new field lights.

The $366,600 project will allow for safer training, longer play hours and continued club growth in Pickering Brook.

The new LED lights deliver an average of 150 lux across the field, enabling evening competition at the venue, which will expand use by community groups and even drone-based training in the evenings.

The club had been advocating for lighting improvements for more than six years, due to growing membership and the increasing demand for safe evening training conditions.

Before the lights were installed, large areas of the field remained unlit, lowering visibility and the safety for players who wished to play on.

Pickering Brook Sports Club chairperson Fred Van Elswyk said club numbers have been growing since 2020, and the facility didn’t have enough space or light to train everyone safely.

“Quite a few years ago we were struggling with the facilities we had and we’ve always (held) the belief that if we had the facilities, the players would come and that’s exactly what’s happened,” he said.

“Mental health is a great problem in society these years – the boys just got together for a tragedy we had here recently.

“(They) come here, run around the oval, go and have a beer and talk and communicate with each other which I think is the greatest thing about this whole club itself and the community around them.

“Since the new lights went in, we’ve already seen a surge in new members.

“It shows what’s possible when facilities match community need.”

City of Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas said the community response has been fantastic.

“The Pickering Brook Sports Club has already seen a boost in members, and the feedback from players and families has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said.

“These lights have created a safer, more welcoming space where people can train, connect and grow.”

A City of Kalamunda public announcement said the upgrade was delivered in a special way, with the Pickering Brook Sports Club overseeing all components of the project, from design to delivery.

The upgrade was delivered in partnership with the City of Kalamunda, the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport through the club night lights program, the Pickering Brook Sports Club, and the WA Football Commission.

Ms Thomas said other parks in the area will also receive similar lighting to allow nighttime sport activities.

“Lighting upgrades are planned at Ray Owen Reserve, with further advocacy underway for improvements at Morrison Oval (Hartfield Park, Forrestfield) and the Maida Vale Netball Complex (Maida Vale Reserve),” she said.

Kalamunda MLA Adam Hort said the lights were a great win for the community and local sport.

“Can’t wait to see the oval buzzing with even more games, training and Friday night footy under lights,” he said.