The region's variety of quality sporting facilities has expanded following the official opening of the Riverside Ovals and Amenities in Dubbo. The new sporting ovals were officially opened by way of coin toss by Dubbo Regional Council's (DRC) CEO, Murray Wood and Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders - at the NSW Cricket Boys Youth Championships, Monday 20 December 2021.
DRC, CEO Murray Wood said the new sporting area will cater for a variety of sports and benefit the community well into the future, "This new precinct is a wonderful outcome for the local community and an asset for the whole Dubbo region, which will be benefit from this redevelopment for many years to come," said Mr Wood.
The 6 hectares of playing fields were co-funded by the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund, Round 2 and DRC.
Local companies were engaged to construct the playing fields along with the installation of irrigation and the lawn surface. The fields include one (1) turf cricket field, one (1) synthetic cricket field, four (4) senior soccer fields and 10 touch football fields.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said this project will deliver on a number of levels for the local community. "This project not only adds to Dubbo's standing as a premier location for sporting tourism, it also provided a much-needed boost to local businesses hit hard during the drought.
"With heavy rainfall in recent months the drought seems long behind us, but these fields will stand as a legacy of what can be achieved when state and local governments work hand-in-hand to achieve terrific outcomes for the community.
"I can't wait to see these fields getting put to good use, boosting our ability to attract large sports carnivals like this one, and the enormous economic benefits that come with them," said Mr Saunders.
The modern and spacious amenity building was delivered in partnership with the Australian Government. The new facilities include a large canteen, separate umpires room and bathroom, two (2) change rooms, six (6) public toilets, undercover shelter area, inbuilt BBQ and 26 car parks.
Local companies and sub-contractors were engaged for the design and construction of the amenities building.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said he was pleased the Federal Government was able to contribute to this great project, through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.
"Modern sporting facilities are so important to help attract and retain families to our regional towns and cities, so it's wonderful to see Dubbo Regional Council has been able to use a portion of its LRCI funding on upgrading the amenities at the Riverside Ovals," Mr Coulton said.
"It's also pleasing that a local company and sub-contractors were used for the construction of the new amenities building. This is exactly the type of work the Federal Government is pleased to support – creating local job opportunities, while delivering lasting benefits.
"The LRCI program has proven to be a huge success for our local communities, with councils able to use these funds for projects that they otherwise wouldn't have the capacity to undertake."
