Kempsey's Verge and Eden Street sporting complex officially opens

Various stakeholders met to open the facility capping off a key milestone for Kempsey Shire Council's $10 million project to improve sport and recreation and host large scale events in the shire, funded through a NSW Government grant.

A host of sportspeople will be able to utilise the facilities with cricketers, netballers, basketballers, footballers and runners all benefiting.

After previously playing on eight hard courts, netballers will now compete on 11 along with the upgrading of two grass courts. Competition standard lighting on all fields, netball courts and ancillary areas will also provide advantages.

"The upgrades makes it much easier for us to run regional carnivals and regional leagues because we were well and truly at capacity for the schools cup games, there was no room left with the eight courts," Macleay Netball Association president Karen Lambley said.

"With the extra lighting we'll be able to run a larger twilight, mixed competition which will be easier to run and it'll be able to grow which will make a huge difference.

"It's great timing as well with Netball NSW launching their 'It's got to be Netball' campaign to promote registrations."

Netball NSW's Gill Cotter added the facility will provide Kempsey with an opportunity to host high standard competitions.

"There is now the potential for more north coast carnivals because of the size which now equals the number of courts in the Hastings area," she said.

"Kempsey is central to the north coast so we'll probably look at having the north coast finals for schools cup here."

Along with netball, cricket will be a big winner with the addition of two new turf wickets, a six-lane cricket facility along with plans for a clubhouse.

"I think it really gives us something to be proud of, as a community that's the most important thing," Macleay Valley cricket president Mark Smee said.

"Once the clubhouse is built here, the turf is up, the lights are on, can you imagine being down here on a Friday night having all the lights on and people playing cricket and people walking around having barbeques.

"I think it's really important for the community to have a centralised hub like this.

"The utilisation of the lights is a big part of our next stage, in terms of giving cricket the best vehicle to grow, the night cricket is one of the best avenues for that, the traditional Saturday afternoon is getting harder for people and night cricket is a big part of us moving part."

Cricket NSW Northern area manager Martin Garoni echoed Mr Smee's comments and forecasted the opportunity for future youth tournaments.

"Cricket NSW can look to bring more content and tournaments here - having such a high quality training facility means it's going to be a venue of choice for us to bring hopefully youth carnivals," he said.

"These could include youth pathway carnivals, possibly even national under age championships in time.

"We'll need wickets to bed down and clubhouse established before that but obviously this is such a beautiful part of the world, who wouldn't want to come here and play cricket?"

Other facilities will include:

Kempsey Shire Council coordinator Parks Projects, Steve Pellen, said launching these features is an exciting taste of what the complex will offer residents and local sporting groups.

"The complex will be a real game-changer for residents and sporting clubs as it will not only be a hub for all things sport but a place for all members of the community to utilise," he said.

"As well as quality sporting facilities, there's an inclusive walking track and fitness stations set up along the track, designed by local exercise physiologist Michael Kemp to be suitable for all ages and abilities."

An additional feature of the project is the installation of non-potable water tanks for irrigation and planned installation of solar panels on the new buildings providing a net zero carbon energy usage across the site.

"The water tanks are a great asset to the complex, providing a sustainable way to irrigate the fields. The use of solar will allow energy to be stored in batteries which will be sufficient to power utilities needed at the grounds," Mr Pellen said.

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