Lismore City Council has been recognised for its commitment to top-tier sporting facilities.
Lismore's premier stadium, Oakes Oval, is now in the running for the national Ken Gannon Community Football Facility Award after securing the NSW title.
Winning at the state level has placed Oakes Oval in contention for national recognition, highlighting its significance as a premier sporting venue.
This prestigious award celebrates best practice in community football facility development across the country.
Following a $12.4 million upgrade, the stadium has solidified its place as the premier AFL venue in regional NSW.
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said Oakes Oval is a community asset we can be proud of.
"Local sports fans can now enjoy the best of the best playing right here in our hometown stadium," he said.
"Sport is a cornerstone of Lismore's identity, and the award-winning upgrades now position Oakes Oval as a prime candidate for more high-profile games and events in the future, further cementing Lismore's reputation as a regional sporting hub."
The redevelopment included upgrades to the grandstand with new seating, improved media and coaches' boxes and a complete refurbishment of the Gordon Pavilion, which now features a function room, bar and kitchen.
The change rooms, amenities and storage areas were also upgraded to meet modern standards, ensuring a top-quality experience for players and spectators alike.
Oakes Oval has already hosted AFL pre-season matches, local Australian Rules Football, Rugby League and cricket games and various major community events, including Carols in the Heart.
AFL Venue and Government Partnerships Manager for NSW Samuel Thomson, said the award will open Oakes Oval up to opportunities for Lismore.
"Now one of the premier AFL venues in all of NSW, we look forward to Oakes Oval becoming the centrepiece of the continued growth of our game across Northern NSW," he said.
Lismore City Council Manager for Liveable & Active Communities, Tony Duffy, said winning this award recognises the remarkable design and planning undertaken in the facility's configuration.
"We don't just have a Regional Facility that can host Sports at all levels, we have a facility that now has become a multipurpose stadium, for Lismore and Northern NSW," he said.
"We look forward to the AFL bringing further local to elite content over the coming years."
The refurbishment, delayed by the 2022 floods, was a collaborative effort between all levels of government, with funding contributions from the Australian Government ($6 million), the NSW Government ($4.9 million) and Lismore City Council ($1.5 million).
