Lismore has reinforced its position as the state's regional sporting hub with the opening of Oakes Oval and Crozier Field after a $12.4 million upgrade to the facilities.
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg was joined by Member of Lismore Janelle Saffin and Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan for the opening.
Mayor Krieg said the completion of the extensive upgrade would be a further boost to the community and economy as the city continues to recover from the February 2022 natural disaster.
"Unfortunately, the project was delayed because of the disaster, but it's open now and ready to be used and cherished by the community," he said.
"Local sports fans can now enjoy the best of the best playing right here in our hometown – I am a huge sports fan and I'm personally really excited.
"I'm a great believer in the power of sport to create healthy communities and foster great relationships and the new Oakes Oval and Crozier Field will be a focal point for live sports as well as training, workshops and school events. Sport is something Lismore was built on and the upgrade of these two fields will help ensure it remains a tradition here for many years to come."
Representing NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper, Lismore MP and NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said Lismore deserved first-class sporting facilities delivered by this landmark upgrade.
"I'm pleased that the NSW Government awarded $4.9 million in funding -- $4.5 million through the Office of Sport under the Regional Sport Infrastructure Fund and $400,000 through Regional NSW under the Stronger Country Communities Fund," Ms Saffin said.
"This project is another example of all levels of government working together to create a fantastic sporting precinct for all sports-mad people, myself included, here in Lismore and Northern Rivers region."
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the upgraded complex would also be good news for local businesses as they continue to recover.
"Sport brings millions of dollars into our economy each year and this important upgrade will enable us to host national games that will bring more visitors to the city and put more money in the pockets of local businesses," he said.
Works undertaken at Oakes Oval include a new media and coaches boxes, change room upgrades, upgrade of Grandstand including new seating and the internal refurbishment to the Gordon Pavilion that includes a function room, bar and kitchen, upgraded amenities, accessible amenities and storeroom.
At Crozier, works included a new pavilion off the back of the existing grandstand, which includes as function room, commercial kitchen, amenities, a lift, office space, coaches boxes and viewing deck for both fields. Old change rooms have been upgraded and another one constructed.
Across the Precinct, three new amenities blocks have been constructed, two scoreboards upgraded, construction of spectator mounds, new cricket facility training nets to a national standard, landscaping and new perimeter fencing installed.
The project was funded by the Australian Government ($6 million), the NSW Government's Regional Sport Infrastructure Fund ($4.5 million) and Stronger Country Communities ($400,000), and Lismore City Council ($1.5 million).
PICTURE: Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg (front right), State Member Janelle Saffin and Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan with local Lismore sporting club and association representatives.
