Celebrating the completion of another $350,000 upgrade to the Inverell Sports Complex, Inverell District Cricket Association Treasurer Brendon Campbell, left, Vice President Liam Spalding, Inverell Sports Council Secretary Simon Smith, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Inverell Little Athletics athlete Matilda Oliver and Mayor Paul Harmon.
Thursday, 11 February 2021
INVERELL’S junior and senior athletics and cricketing superstars now have the facilities to take their training and competition to the next level in their own back-yard, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Inverell Shire Mayor Paul Harmon last week officially opening upgrades to the Sports Complex at McCosker Oval.
In 2018 the State Government provided $350,000 for the project through the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 2.
Mr Marshall said the project’s completion has delivered Inverell a custom designed, dedicated athletics facility and additional prised turf cricket wicket.
“Over the past five years Inverell has really set the pace when it comes to offering first-class sporting facilities for regional competitions,” Mr Marshall said.
“The Inverell Sports Complex is now one the premier athletics surfaces in the region, equipped with modern irrigation system, improved drainage and specialist throwing cages for field events.
“Access has been improved to the facility with new internal access roads, pathways and seating making the venue ideal for representative events and spectating.
“Inverell now also has the hat-trick when it comes to turf cricket wickets with rehabilitation of McCosker Oval 2 providing a third surface for competition matches.
“It’s amazing to think every year around 10,000 people will utilise the Inverell Sports Complex through 11 different sporting associations and what will soon be seven individual sports.”
This stage of the Inverell Sports Complex project complements $930,000 in State Government and council funded works previously undertaken on site, including upgrades to playing surfaces, installation of underground irrigation, and energy efficient lighting, spectator seating for 400, security fence and new clubhouse with disabled facilities.
Mr Marshall said the Inverell Sports Complex would ensure hundreds of local sports men and women had equal access to the very best facilities available.
“In the past all local schools and Little Athletics Association have undertaken activities at Varley Oval,” he said.
“Being a multi-sport venue, this has thrown up challenges for Council in juggling all the sports clubs that require use of the ground and their conflicting schedules.
“By establishing a dedicated athletics precinct this difficulty is avoided.”
Cr Harmon said the improved facility would unlock new opportunities for the town to host regional and state sporting events.
“Council is proud to see this project delivered and these new facilities providing an excellent platform for track and field athletes in our shire,” Cr Harmon said.
“The project was a recommendation of the Inverell Open Space Strategy in 2018, which consulted the community on the future direction of Inverell’s recreation and sports facilities.
“Inverell has a strong cricketing history and the upgraded turf wicket at McCosker Oval means we are in the box seat for attracting state-level cricket carnivals and future fixtures to our town.
“These events have the potential to put Inverell on the map and bring more than $250,000 into the local economy.”