Friday, December 13, 2024

New $44m Penrith sports precinct on track

Work is progressing on a new $44.21 million sports precinct for Penrith.

The Gipps Street Recreation Precinct in Claremont Meadows is due to open next year.

The 32-hectare precinct will feature sports fields of various sizes to suit multiple sports, two netball courts, and cricket nets, which will all be floodlit to ensure they can be utilised to their maximum capacity, says Penrith Mayor, Todd Carney.

The Mayor said the facility will be one of Penrith’s largest and best sport and recreation destinations.

“Gipps Street Recreation Precinct will become a prime location for local, regional and statewide sports competitions, training, and events once it opens next year,” Mayor Carney said.

“Sports clubs and their members will have access to high-quality sport facilities and supporting infrastructure such as the main amenities building which will feature eight change rooms, a large-scale canteen, areas for officials, and much more.

“There will also be plenty of recreation opportunities for everyone in the community including children, teenagers and families, dog owners, and nature lovers.” 

Once complete, the Gipps Street Recreation Precinct will also feature a youth precinct with pump track and skate park, children’s play areas including water play, a floodlit dog park, walking trails, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic areas, and car parking.

Two multi-sport courts are also being constructed within the youth precinct, which will be available for residents and visitors to enjoy informal games and recreation.

Earthworks, the installation of floodlighting and irrigation on the sports fields, and construction of two synthetic cricket pitches are now complete. The southern fields have also been turfed as work continues across the precinct.

This $44.21 million project is being funded by Council and the NSW Government, who are contributing $5 million through the Office of Sport’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund, $1 million through the Office of Sport’s Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund, and $500,000 through the Department of Planning’s Open Spaces Program.

NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said the Government was committed to delivering grassroots and professional sporting infrastructure in communities that desperately need facilities.

“We recognise the critical role local sport infrastructure plays in keeping communities healthy, active and connected,” Minister Kamper said.

“Projects such as these are designed to meet the current and future needs of communities so everyone can share in the benefits sport and recreation provide.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Londonderry, Prue Car said the project had been much anticipated by the local community.

“Once completed, this recreation precinct will be well-used by Western Sydney families, providing children’s activity areas and quality open spaces for these growing communities into the future,” she said.

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