Image caption: Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi and President of the Box Hill and Nelson Progress Association, Vicki Giannoulis at Anthony Skarratt Reserve construction site.
Construction has commenced on the biggest community facility and sporting reserve to be built in The Hills Shire for more than 20 years at Anthony Skarratt Reserve, Box Hill.
The long-term vision for the reserve will include six sporting fields and six multi-purpose courts, a community centre, outdoor gym, playground and much more.
Mayor of The Hills Shire Dr Peter Gangemi was thrilled to see work underway on the reserve, which would become a treasured community asset for generations to come.
"Anthony Skarratt Reserve will be a focal point of the community in Box Hill as a premier sporting facility, a meeting place for our residents and a place for families to gather, relax and play," Mayor Gangemi said.
"This project is the biggest sporting and community facility Council has commenced since Bernie Mullane Reserve and will be built in stages as we continue to acquire land needed to realise the full vision of the reserve.
"I am particularly excited to see construction of the Box Hill and Nelson Community Centre, which will serve our community groups as well as the Box Hill and Nelson Progress Association for many years to come."
President of the Box Hill and Nelson Progress Association Vicki Giannoulis was pleased the project had reached this milestone.
"This year is a twofold celebration for the Box Hill and Nelson Progress Association. We have commemorated our 80th year as an association, and now construction has begun on our new home," Ms Giannoulis said.
"I would like to thank the family of the late Anthony Skarratt. Mr Skarratt was a long-term Box Hill resident who donated an acre of land to our association in 1949, which is where our old hall resided. It is due to the generosity of the Skarratt family, that the new Box Hill and Nelson Community Centre can be constructed."
Stage one of the construction of Anthony Skarratt Reserve will include:
- Community centre including a satellite library, activity rooms and function room with a permanent space for Box Hill and Nelson Progress Association
- playgroup space with outdoor play area
- car park with 187 spaces including two EV charging stations
- roundabout at the intersection of Nelson Road and Box Road
- pavement widening on Nelson Road including a new bus bay
Once all stages of construction have been completed, Anthony Skarratt Reserve will also include four football fields, two baseball fields, six multi-purpose courts, cricket practice nets, and a playground. Two synthetic cricket pitches, an outdoor gym and a baseball batting practice tunnel were also added to the Master Plan following community consultation.
The construction of Anthony Skarratt Reserve has been partially funded by the NSW Government's Public Spaces Legacy Program. Stage one of construction is expected to be completed by late 2025, weather permitting.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the NSW Government contributed $4.15 million in funding towards the project.
"This first stage of the project will provide an important community hub for Hills residents with exciting local infrastructure upgrades and additional car parking spaces to make the site more accessible," Minister Scully said.
"I look forward to returning in the years ahead to see Council's vision for Anthony Skarratt Reserve come to life.
"This is another great example of the NSW Government delivering high quality, vibrant public open spaces with a lasting community benefit."
For more information about the project, visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au and search for 'Anthony Skarratt Reserve.'
