SA Premier Visits Whyalla Kart Club


by Jeremy Head 5 February 2014
 

On February 1st 2014 the Premier of South Australia, Jay Weatherill, took time out of his busy schedule to attend the Whyalla Kart Club to present the club with a cheque for $53,000.

The cheque is for a grant the club was recently successful in gaining from the Office of Recreation and Sport.  The grant is to fund lighting and solar power for the club.

Club President Dennis Cummerlato said that “The funding allows for the Whyalla Public to enjoy motorsport at all times of the day.”  “The club has had to cancel race meetings during summer months due to the hot weather.  The lights will now mean spectators and drivers alike will be more comfortable.”


Above: (L to R) Upper House Minister Kyam Maher, Whyalla Kart Club President Dennis Cummerlato, SA Premier Jay Weatherill, Labour Candidate for Giles Eddie Hughes and Whyalla Kart Club Media Officer Jeremy Head

Whyalla Kart Club publicity officer David Camwell said “By running night races during the winter months other sports are less likely to impact on the kart club.  Spectators that enjoy football, netball and other winter sports can watch them during the day then head to the club in the late afternoon early evening to watch racing under lights.”

Labour Party Candidate Mr. Eddie Hughes was in attendance at the presentation by Premier Weatherill and said "Many Whyalla sporting organizations have benefitted over recent years from State Government grants to assist with upgrading facilities. Our sport clubs are run by volunteers who make an enormous contribution to the social fabric of our city. The $53,000 grant for the Whyalla Go Kart Track will provide greater flexibility when it comes to staging events and training and will help avoid high day time temperatures during summer.

"The investment made through sporting grants is returned many times over as it helps support active participation and strengthens our community."

The investment in lighting means that Whyalla is only the second club in South Australia to be able to run night race meetings with the only other club being in the Barossa Valley. This is a huge achievement for a club that was close to folding a little more than 5 years ago.

The solar power also means that the club is less reliant on the diesel generator it currently uses making the power usage at the club more cost effective. 

The Whyalla Kart Club would like to thank Premier Weatherill for taking time to come and visit the club and see what is happening with the support provided by the Office of Recreation and Sport.

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