Athletics NSW is keeping a close eye on the progressing development and its Chief Executive Officer Duncan Tweed said the precinct could have statewide benefits.

“There is already a strong athletics community in the Nowra/Bomaderry area, which is managing great things in spite of a lack of any real supporting infrastructure,” Mr Tweed said.

“The introduction of synthetics track within the proposed master plan would enable this community to take the next step and become one of the key hubs for athletics in NSW.”

Mr Tweed said both Athletics NSW and Little Athletics NSW had identified the proposal as one of the top priorities within the NSW Government’s recent ‘Future Needs of Sport Infrastructure Study’.

Local athletic coach Mel Mustapic recently spoke Mr Tweed about the development.

“The Shoalhaven has and is producing so many talented athletes competing at a national and international level,” she said.

“I can’t wait to see so many students from across the region compete at the facility and when young ones run on a synthetic surface for the first time they feel very special.

“Shoalhaven athletes and coaches have struggled for a long time to meet the demands of their sport.

“With the closest facility in Wollongong adding two hours return drive time for training means travel is unreasonable when you are also trying to balance costs, education and work.”

Mrs Mustapic said it was great when the sod was turned recently to mark the start of construction for the indoor sports centre as part of the precinct.

“It’s an exciting time for residents and visitors to the Shoalhaven who will benefit from the multi-million dollar sports facility,” Mrs Mustapic said.

“Being actively involved in many sports for the good part of 40 years it makes me so happy to finally start seeing progress.

“The basketball stadium has commenced development and I look forward to seeing the facility up and running.”

RELATED Sod turned to mark stadium constructing 

RELATED Homes make way for complex

Local athletics coach Mel Mustapic said the Bomaderry Sports and Community Precinct has something for everyone and would be a sports tourism asset.

She gets regular updates from Shoalhaven City Council and was told in excess of 240 new construction based jobs would come from the precinct and in a total output of $245 million into the local economy from the construction phase.

When fully established the Sports Precinct will create 115 new jobs across various areas including hospitality, maintenance, greenkeeping/horticulture, life guards, fitness instructors, management and health and would result in a total annual output of $22.45 million into the local economy.

The facility will operate seven  days a week with the following services: