The ground was initially the recipient of a $40,000 grant through the Bega Valley Shire Council’s sporting ready fund, which will benefit the rugby league and soccer clubs and any other users of the ground. 

A second $40,000 was granted through the State Government and NRL’s $2million footy facilities fund, specifically for upgrading the ground’s league facilities.

The money was awarded  after a successful application by the Candelo-Bemboka Panthers. 

Club president Dave Allen said they had used the grant from council as a basis to seek funding through the NRL. 

“Basically we put through an application for them to match it dollar-for-dollar and we were successful,” Allen said. 

The club was rewarded with more good news as a $6000 grant was approved by the Department of Sport and Recreation for a storage shed to be built.

Member for Bega Andrew Constance welcomed the news. 

“The Candelo-Bemboka club has had an excellent start to their first season back in the Group 16 competition with a reserve grade premiership, and these upgrades and $46,000 in funding will further assist them in increasing numbers and supporters heading into the 2015 season,” Mr Constance said.

“The NSW Footy Facilities Fund will increase regular and ongoing participation opportunities in rugby league and improve the standard of footy grounds and facilities.”

Allen said sporting bodies had combined and a “hit list of projects” had been drawn up. 

“It includes the lighting, canteen and dressing sheds,” Allen said. 

“We will also look at access for the ground and to build some dugouts for players on the side of the field.”

A planning committee is calling on the knowledge of tradesmen from within the club. 

“Jason Heffernan is heading the works and we are using his expertise,” Allen said. 

“We’re going to have some workers down there and get stuck into it as soon as we can.”

The club hoped to have major works completed in time for the 2015 season. 

Allen said upgrades to the lights would be valuable for training at first, but could be a viable option for hosting night matches and other events.

The windfall has been a boon for the community and a number of people have already expressed their excitement for upgrades to be made. 

Allen said the news had been good around town. 

“The ground could use some work, it is fairly old and especially the dressing sheds need upgrading and extending so it has been very welcome news. 

“There are all kind of sporting grants and we’ve been applying for everything that we can, but it’s really lucky in securing these grants for the ground.”