A new all-weather synthetic athletics facility will be built sooner than expected, thanks to Shoalhaven City Council’s decision to keep the Bomaderry 50m pool.
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It will not be built at the site it was originally intended for at Bomaderry – there is not enough room – but the local athletics club doesn’t mind where it’s built, as long as it’s built.
NSW Little Athletics president Craig Scott praised Shoalhaven Council for the decision on Tuesday night to provide funding of up to $300,000 in the 2018/19 budget for project scoping, consultation, and design work with a view to delivering a plan that will be construction ready by 2020.
There are a number of possible sites for the track including the old race track at Nowra, and council-owned land 1km from the Shoalhaven Sporting Precinct.
“In this particular case I’m very excited councillors have decided to build an all-weather track,” Mr Scott said.
“One of the councillors pointed out, this is something that’s been on the agenda for a very long time, so I’m very very pleased.”
After speaking with state and federal members about grant opportunities, and Nowra Athletics club spokeswoman Mel Mustapic is confident they will be able to secure funding for the synthetic track.
“We’ve been let down (by facilities) for years, and it’s just amazing how a club that runs on a goat track has 20 athletes representing the area on a national level,” she said.
“We’ve done an amazing job so far, and we can only move forward from here.”
There are more than 300 kids who take part in Little Athletics training in Nowra.
In her deputation at council Mrs Mustapic explained the challenges of running the club without an all-weather facility.
“I guess it’s quite well timed that with recent much needed rain, today we have no track to train or compete on,” she said.
“All of our local athletes are affected by this, Little Athletics has now been cancelled for its second week.
“For those athletes who are progressing to State and National competitions we move back to soggy ovals and dirt roads.”
Resolution in full:
With respect to the Athletics Facility, Council:
a. Immediately engage with the Athletics Club to investigate an alternate site for a new facility with a commitment to fund works and seek grant funds in the short term.
b. Provide funding of up to $300,000 in the 2018/19 budget for project scoping, consultation, and design work with a view to delivering a plan that will be construction ready by 2020.
c. Immediately apply as is practical, for sporting grants for the construction of the facility
