The sights and sounds of sport will soon return to Smith Park following City of Newcastle's delivery of a multimillion-dollar upgrade of the Hamilton North site.
The playing surface has been significantly improved by the installation of new drainage and irrigation, the realignment of fields used for cricket, football and Oztag, as well as the repositioning of three synthetic cricket wickets.
Chair of the Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said City of Newcastle is committed to delivering spaces that bring people together for active living and social connection.
"We're proud to have worked closely with the community and sporting groups to improve this 56,000 sqm park," Cr Winney-Baartz said.
"This project contained a significant scope of works. Drainage improvements include 13 new stormwater pits, more than 330 metres of stormwater lines and more than five kilometres of subsoil drainage lines.
"Irrigation upgrades feature a new pump station, two water tanks and more than 3.7 kilometres of irrigation lines with sprinklers for watering.
"These improvements represent stage one of the Smith Park Masterplan and are consistent with the long-term vision for the park, meeting the needs of all users including Hamilton Azzurri Football Club, junior and senior cricket, and Newcastle Oztag.
"Future works proposed for Smith Park include carpark realignment, a community building, a multi-sports court and lighting."
The upgrade was delivered by City of Newcastle with support from a $2.56 million grant secured by the Newcastle Junior Cricket Association through the NSW Government's Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund.
NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said projects like these show the NSW Government's commitment to delivering fit for purpose infrastructure that benefits all members of the community.
"Local sport infrastructure plays a critical role in keeping communities healthy, active and connected and these improvements will allow the fields to cater for more participants and more playing time," Minister Kamper said.
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he's pleased to be part of a Government that is committed to ensuring green spaces such as Smith Park meet the needs of our community.
"Upgrading green space in the city is crucial to supporting local communities and provides a safe place for people to gather and connect," Mr Crakanthorp said.
"I look forward to seeing our local sporting talents benefiting from these fantastic upgrades."
President Andrew Cornwell said Newcastle Junior Cricket was thankful to the NSW Government and City of Newcastle for delivering this much-needed upgrade.
"Smith Park will now provide a first-class hub for our junior cricketers and will support the growth of cricket into the future," Mr Cornwell said.
"Our cricketers will now have access to quality grounds that will be more resilient to wet weather and drought.
"The project is a great example of what can be achieved when sporting codes work together with Council."
Smith Park isn't the only popular park receiving an upgrade, with City of Newcastle also installing a new irrigation system at Wallsend Oval One and Two.
The improvements are being delivered by City of Newcastle in collaboration with Wallsend District Cricket Club, which successfully secured a grant from the Federal Government under the Investing in Our Communities Program.
The project also includes the installation of irrigation tanks and pump shed infrastructure, with the works likely to be completed in June.
