Construction begins on the South West Rocks High Performance Centre

We've had NRL players Aiden Tolman and Albert Kelly ply their trade in the junior ranks.

Two of the greatest boxers this country has produced, Dave Sands and Hector Thompson, both started their journeys on our turf.

To mention those four is merely scratching the surface on what this area has produced.

Tuesday (June 15) marked a promising day in the continued production line of athletes from the Macleay as construction begins on the South West Rocks High Performance Centre.

The fact this centre is community inspired adds to its importance as echoed by Kempsey Shire Council mayor Liz Campbell.

"The community feedback has been fantastic for this project," she said.

"This has been a community led project, working with council, the community and the [South West Rocks] Country Club.

"The collaboration has been one of the highlights of this project."

Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey was similarly full of praise for the work of Macleay Valley locals in getting this project off the ground.

"It's a credit to the local community, they put forward the idea of a high performance centre, we've had to re-arrange the original concept to fit within the budget but the facility we have here is going to be sensational," she commented.

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The funding for the centre was secured by Kempsey Shire Council and the South West Rocks Sport and Recreation Committee, receiving $2,465,268 from the 2018 Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund, $400,000 from South West Rocks Country Club, $1.1 million from Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and a further $1,190,000 contributed by Kempsey Shire Council.

A number of features will make the project one of a kind for the area with the opportunity to watch rugby league, Aussie rules, football or cricket in a prime viewing experience.

"The building itself will be four storey, it'll have 660 seats, the base level is for community sport and recreation, there'll be canteen, change rooms and facilities that support that," Steve Pellen, KSC Coordinator for Parks and Projects, explained.

"The next level is our high performance level so we're looking at a sprung floor, area for internal testing for local athletes by state sporting associations and North Coast Academy of Sport.

"Level three is a mezzanine level so that'll feature physiotherapy rooms and other areas.

"The top level is basically seating with a panoramic view of both ovals and fully lit spectacular views.

"It's one of a kind, the height of the grandstand and the viewing you'll have is second to none that we've got in our local area.

"We're looking forward to benefits for the local community."

Mr Pellen added there'll be a desire to attract quality state and national fixtures to the area.

"It'll be a regionally based facility but we are looking to work with the likes of the NRL and Football Mid North Coast to attract some practice events from those high levels of competition and that'll have a positive impact on our regional level of sport."

Mayor Campbell explained the centre will provide our local athletes with the chance to enhance their skills and add to the notable list of home grown talents playing on the national stage.

"We don't have any facility like this in the Kempsey Shire and it'll be a great regional facility between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour to host sport in the area," she said.

"Part of attracting sport from other places is this type of facility.

"To become top of the class in your sport you have to work hard but also have to have the facilities and trainers to assist you, we'll be able to attract the right trainers, right people and advance sport for our local community."

The centre is expected to be completed around Autumn 2022.

"We're looking at lock up stage Christmas this year and final completion early to mid next year," Mr Pellen added.

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