The Macleay’s superstar athletes could soon have a home to further develop their talents and prepare themselves for a professional sporting career.
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Kempsey Shire Council, in collaboration with the South West Rocks (SWR) Sport and Recreation Association and the SWR Country Club, will apply for a grant from the NSW Office of Sport to build a High Performance Centre on the western side of the SWR sporting fields.
The proposed three-storey multi-sport facilitiy would feature a state of the art grandstand, gender-specific change rooms, full disability compliance; including a lift, 18 wheelchair spaces and upgraded disability access from the carpark.
The estimated $3.3 million complex would seat more than 800 people and have a media, broadcast and coaches box.
Kempsey Shire Council will apply for $2,557,995 in funding with the final $742,005 to be provided by the SWR Country Club, Kempsey Shire Council and Hadlow Design Services.
Kempsey Shire Councillor Anna Shields claims the SWR High Performance Centre would provide more opportunities for local athletes.
“From a high performance perspective, the centre presents an opportunity for our talented young athletes to access pre-elite coaching without having to travel long distances or move away from home,” Cr Shields said.
“So far Country Rugby League, the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and AFL ACT/NSW have all expressed interest in using the facility for development squad training and camps.
“Many regional squads train at Coffs Harbour for the northern players and Port Macquarie for the south. However, this centralised facility offers the opportunity for combined training sessions.”
The SWR community and surrounding areas would also benefit, with the potential to attract thousands of people to the region for various sports carnivals.
“There are also economic benefits for SWR and our region,” Cr Shields said.
“This facility will enable us to host national, state and regional events, fixtures and championships.
“Our focus will be attracting events that bring the whole family, such as the Australian Schoolboys Rugby League Championships.
“Finally, this facility will also be available for functions, conferences, meetings, festivals, markets, trade shows and more.”
The High Performance Centre is expected to also increase sports participation in SWR.
“This Sports Centre provides improved facilities for our local sporting clubs to grow their memberships, including a much needed lighting upgrade,” Cr Shields said.
“Spectators will also enjoy an improved level of visibility and comfort.
“The centre presents new opportunities for active recreation, for example martial arts, dance, gymnastics, yoga, indoor bowls and rock climbing. There are also office spaces available for development officers or allied health professionals.”
Kempsey Shire Council expressed their gratitude towards Peter Hadlow and Craig Bale for the time and effort they put into designing the High Performance Sports Centre.
The design that is based on a balance between stakeholder engagement and affordability.
Thanks also goes to the SWR Country Club for their generous and enduring support for this project.
A community information session will be held this Thursday at 4:30-6pm at the SWR Country Club.
If the grant application is successful, it is anticipated that the centre will be completed at the end of 2019, allowing for a 12-month construction period.
Sport Centre layout
- Level 1 - amenities, change rooms, canteen, administration, officials area, storage.
- Level 2 - high performance facilities, 150 grandstand seats, 12 wheelchair spaces, flexible-use community and active recreation area, amenities, bar and kitchen, offices, storage.
- Level 3 - 629 grandstand seats, 6 wheelchair spaces, media, broadcast and coaches area.
Economic and Community Benefits for South West Rocks
- Improved sporting facilities for players and spectators
- Ability to host regional, state and national events, fixtures and championships.
- Pre-elite training camps and coaching clinics
- Youth high performance pathways without travelling long distances or moving away.
- Non-sport functions, conferences, meetings, festivals, markets, and trade shows.
- Wet weather training option for local sporting clubs
- Emergency access point and evacuation centre
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