Waterfront Drive playing field upgrade moves on to next stage

                                                            Tuesday, 18 September 2018

Works have begun today on Stage Two of the $2 million dollar Waterfront Drive playing field upgrade in Callan Park.

The long-awaited renovation will create a state-of-the-art sporting facility to be used by local sports clubs.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said he campaigned strongly for the upgrade to go ahead with the support of local parents and club players.

“The upgrade is welcome news for local clubs crying out for better training and playing space especially given dire shortage of recreation space in the Inner West,” he said.

“Resurfacing of Waterfront Drive’s two playing fields will massively improve the ground quality and new irrigation and drainage will also help make sure that fields remain open more days each year.

“Council has had to overcome lengthy and unnecessary delays from the State Government in order to deliver this project, which is fully funded by ratepayers,” said Mayor Byrne.

"Thank you to the parents and kids from local clubs who have fought so hard to force the Government to reverse their opposition to the project.”

The first stage of the upgrade, completed in June, featured new lighting to allow night training thanks to seven new 28-metre floodlights producing superior 200 lux light levels.

Stage Two of the works, which are commencing now so they will be completed in time for the 2019 winter season, includes:

• Installation of a new surface for two playing fields
• New irrigation system and irrigation tanks
• Sub-surface sports field drainage, new fencing and landscaping
• Refurbishment of an existing air raid shelter to deliver improved club sport storage space
• New cricket nets and a cricket wicket
  
  

The upgrade was proposed by the former Leichhardt Council prior to the amalgamation. The new Inner West Council also spent a number of months negotiating with the State Government to allow the proposal to go ahead.

For further information, please contact John Roper on 0435 963 787 or john.roper@innerwest.nsw.gov.au