Mungindi Progress Association Secretary Brooke Luhrs, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Association President Anna Harrison happily receiving the cheque for funding to upgrade sports facilities in Mungindi.
Tuesday, 5 June 2018
SPORTING facilities in Mungindi and Moree are ready to kick start some significant upgrades thanks to a $140,715 grant from the NSW Government, which will translate into a combined $355,000 game plan.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall met with local sporting leaders and locals from the Mungindi Progress Association and Moree Plains Shire Council at Mungindi recently to announce funding support from the NSW Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Mr Marshall said the grant would allow two sporting facility improvement projects at Mungindi and another one in Moree.
“I’m delighted to announce this funding for projects that will assists grass-roots sport in Mungindi and Moree and get more people active,” Mr Marshall said.
He said one would turn the sports precinct on Bucknell Street in Mungindi into a genuine sporting hub for the town.
“Funds will go towards improving the pool facility by installing a cantilever pool shade. The pool is a haven for residents in the long hot summer months, but there is currently no shade over the 33-metre pool, meaning users and supervisors have zero sun protection,” Mr Marshall said.
“This means pool users will be able to enjoy the water with sun and water glare protection, but it also improves conditions for time keepers, coaches and parents who stand on the hot concrete supervising when using the pool for Swim Club or recreation.
“In a hot place like Mungindi, which can be up to 15 degrees hotter than other parts of the Northern Tablelands, an up-to-date pool facility is absolutely essential.”
The WS Smith Memorial Park next door to the pool will also receive attention, with new outdoor fitness equipment.
“This gear will complement the fantastic play equipment and will create a place that everyone in the family can enjoy,” Mr Marshall said. “With no gym in the town, these five pieces of shaded equipment, close to play equipment means locals can enjoy working out while their children are safely occupied, and within sight.
“Once it is completed, the WS Smith Memorial Park will boast amenities for young and old including the fitness equipment, a covered skate ramp, a covered playground and toilet facilities.
Also on the score sheet for an upgrade are the tennis courts adjacent to the WS Smith Memorial Park which will have their surface area significantly extended.
The Sporting Hub concept has garnered strong council and community support, with the Mungindi Progress Association and Moree Plains Shire Council also contributing to the improvements.
“The progress association has not only played a huge part in driving this plan for Mungindi, but is also contributing $10,000 towards the project,” Mr Marshall said
“This is testimony to the strong community spirit here in Mungindi where people get stuck in and make their home a better place for everyone.
“I congratulate the Mungindi Progress Association of all their hard work in ensuring Mungindi continues to have the community infrastructure it deserves,” he said.
The project at Moree will see the ageing local netball courts get a new acrylic facelift.
“Resurfacing the Moree Netball Courts has been something the Moree and District Netball Association have had on their wish list for a while because at the moment it can’t hold regional carnivals because the old surface is too cracked and uneven,” Mr Marshall said.
“The acrylic surface will be marked to provide six netball courts, with other court markings to distinguish training and fitness activities, educational diagrams and a delineated cycle path.
“This will make a multipurpose area that can be used for larger netball carnivals, training camps and the community.”
The grant funds will be boosted by a Moree Plains Shire Council contribution of $20,000 and another $43,890 from the Social Housing Community income stream.
“Altogether, the funds available for these projects is $355,320 – that’s a substantial sum that will give sporting facilities in two towns a much needed overhaul. Sporting facilities are crucial to the fabric of communities like Mungindi and Moree,” Mr Marshall said.