The Carngham-Linton home ground has been approved a $255,000 grant from the state government to improve lighting, which is set to allow the option of night fixtures in the future.

This upgrade will follow recent resurfacing projects at CHFL grounds such as Buninyong, Waubra and Smythesdale.

Carngham-Linton president Sam Richardson said the news of funding came as a huge surprise.

“New lighting at the oval will make a huge difference for training, especially in winter,” Richardson said.

“We do currently have some training lights at the oval, but an upgrade will really help us train at night and perhaps even run some night games in the future.”

The Linton Cricket Club will also benefit from the project, which Richardson hoped would be complete for the 2019 CHFL season.

The improvement in lighting at the oval was identified by Golden Plains Shire Council as a priority to increase participation in sport and bring the ground up to the AFL Victoria minimum guidelines for training and night matches.

Buninyong MP Geoff Howard said the upgrade will give Linton sporting groups the facilities they need to train, compete and attract more members.

“We’re upgrading local grounds, change rooms and pavilions right across Victoria so everyone has the facilities they need to play and watch the sport they love,” he said.