Central Coast Council is a step closer to delivering a new sporting and recreation complex with negotiations for the purchase of land given the green light and confirmation of a $6 million NSW Government funding grant.
The proposed Colongra Sporting Complex site spans two hectares on Scenic Drive at Colongra and will include two new turf sporting fields, three netball courts, sporting amenities building with accessible toilets, playspace, carpark, pathways and access road.
Council CEO, David Farmer said the project was already well advanced in planning both financially and with extensive community consultation having contributed to detailed design plans.
“Council has an existing long term lease over the land and already undertaken extensive investigation which means development of the land can occur at relatively short notice, subject to relevant planning proposals,” Mr Farmer said.
“The estimated cost of construction of the facility is between $8.5 million and $10.5 million.
“There is $7 million currently allocated in the adopted Capital Works program for Colongra Sporting Facility construction over the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years.
“With the success of the $6M State Government Accelerated Infrastructure Fund grant and authority for purchase negotiations to advance, we will amend the Long Term Financial Plan to bring forward the acquisition of the land to this financial year.
“Our plan is construction will commence in the second half of 2024 with an anticipated completion in 2025,” he said.
Administrator, Rik Hart said the new complex would meet the needs of the growing community in the north of the coast and promote healthy and active lifestyles.
“Sporting facilities play a significant role in bringing health benefits to our community, supporting local sports groups and providing greater opportunities for families to spend quality time with each other,” Mr Hart said.
“It also means that Council will now be delivering two significant infrastructure projects for the benefit of the Central Coast community over the next two years, with this project bookending the Gosford Regional Library construction which is on track for delivery at the end of 2024,” he said.
