Collie Eagles harness the sun’s power

The Collie Eagles Football Club is expected to benefit financially from solar panels which will be installed on the clubhouse later this year.

A $30,000 grant from the State Government’s Local Projects, Local Jobs Scheme has made the upgrades possible.

Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray was at the Eagles’ game against Busselton on Sunday to give the club the good news.

“I think it is a great idea,” Mr Murray said.

“When you look at the return the club will get over the years to come, I think it is a wise decision.

“All sports have to realise they cannot keep coming up with their hand out and this is a way to do it.”

Collie Eagles president Ash Stewart said the club would save a lot of money from the solar panels.

“We are hoping it will save us $8000 to $10,000 a year,” he said.

“It is getting harder as a club to make money, so everything helps.

“Mick has been a strong supporter of his local footy club here in Collie for a long time.

“This grant is really going to underpin the long-term future of the club.”

The Local Projects, Local Jobs Scheme is a State Government initiative promised at the State election that would help fund projects and community organisations.