Year in Review: Facilities
Our facilities are the backbone of our game and help encourage new people to the sport, as well as making playing AFL a worthwhile experience for those already involved.
The AFL delivered the first-ever synthetic AFL facility outside of Victoria – and the first in NSW/ACT -at Narrabeen Sports High School, in association with Pittwater Council.
Long-term, the AFL is collaboratively working to deliver 43 current projects; including the GWS GIANTS Training and Administration Facility at Sydney Olympic Park, Manuka Oval and Drummoyne Oval lighting, the CBD and South East Light Rail Project with Transport for NSW, completion of the SCG redevelopment, and redevelopment of Number 1 Sportsground in Newcastle.
In the south of New South Wales, AFL NSW/ACT worked with Wagga Wagga City Council to complete the $5 million redevelopment of Robertson Oval in time for the AFL NAB Cup clash between the GWS GIANTS and Brisbane Lions, which was played in front of more than 7,500.
$200,000 of works are currently underway as part of the 2013 Joss and AFL Community Grants, across five venues in Corowa, Deniliquin, and Wagga Wagga. Works are planned at Oaklands, Hillston, Barooga and Finley with many projects likely to be complete for the 2014 winter season.
On the Hunter/Central Coast, the AFL has contributed to the proposed upgrade of Number 1 Sportsground in Newcastle. The AFL is working closely with Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Wyong and Gosford Councils to see improvements at Hillsborough Oval, Feighan Oval, Max McMahon Oval, Don Small Oval, Northlakes Oval, Adcock Park, Rodgers Park and Saratoga Oval.
Number 1 Sportsground in Newcastle hosted the Swans reserves for a NEAFL fixture this season, attracting more than 1,500 spectators to the venue.
In Northern NSW, the AFL has signed a 21 year licence agreement with Port Macquarie Hastings Council, securing tenure and access to Wayne Richards Park. The AFL also supported Northern Rivers clubs, Tweed Coast, Casino and Macleay Valley to apply to the Joss and AFL Community Facility Grant Program.
In the Sydney Harbour/Illawarra region, there were amenity upgrades at ELS Hall in Ryde, planning is underway for a full size synthetic oval at Blackman Park in Lane Cove, and work has begun on a new surface and floodlights at Bat and Ball Oval.
Broadcast level lighting has been installed at Drummoyne Oval as well as a new surface at Jubilee Oval in Glebe, there are 100 new lux lights at Bonaira Oval in Kiama, new tiered seating at Myimbarr Sporting Complex in Shellharbour, and a new surface and floodlighting in Leichhardt.
In Greater Western Sydney, a new surface, electronic scoreboard, and awnings was installed at both Ovals at Greygums Reserve in Cranebrook. A new awning and viewing platform at Cook Park in St Mary’s was developed, and a new canteen is being built for the 2014 season at Dukes Oval in Emu Plains.
Plans are underway for improvements at Monarch Oval in Campbelltown, a new oval, amenities building and electronic scoreboard at George Park in Bathurst are being developed, and new amenities and a clubhouse facility at Bargo will be complete in 2014.
On the South Coast and ACT region, surface improvements and new visitors amenities for players and officials have been completed at Ainslie Oval in Canberra, a new AFL/cricket facility to NEAFL standard has been developed at Kippax Oval in Belconnen, and work has begun on new amenities grandstand improvements, surface works, and a car park upgrade at NEAFL venue Dairy Farmers Park in Queanbeyan.
