Residents in the north of the Shire have an early Christmas present from Council – a new $2.3 million sportsfield.
Located on a corner block on Shara Boulevard, it features a premier grade soccer field, home and away changerooms, public toilets, canteen, referees’ room and first-aid room.
It’s the first NSW sportsfield to be fully lit with LED floodlights, Council says, and one of the first in the country.
Staff also say the onsite building was designed with ‘ecologically sustainable design principles’.
‘The building has great airflow, natural lighting in the changerooms, and caters for all-abilities access and amenity.’
Mayor Simon Richardson congratulated everyone involved in the project, including the community, sporting groups, local schools, contractors, councillors and staff.
He said, ‘This is a long- awaited and much-needed facility for the north of Byron Shire. We have no doubt that it will be well used by many sporting groups, schools and families.
Recognition
‘Today’s opening has only been made possible through [hard work and persistence] from residents such as Marc Patten and Ted Kabbout from the Shores United Soccer Club and local community representatives Kathy Norley, Angela Dunlop, Robert Crossley, Jan Mangelson and former councillor Di Woods.’
Byron Shire Council say they would also like to thank the following community organisations for their support in helping to deliver the long-awaited field: Shores United Soccer Club, Ocean Shores Community Association, South Golden Beach Community Association, New Brighton Village Association, and the Ocean Shores, Main Arm and Pocket public schools.
‘We’re looking forward to watching a new generation of athletes thrive in Ocean Shores, Billinudgel, South Golden Beach and neighbouring towns,’ he said.
The seven-hectare site was purchased in 2014 and is centrally located to service a number of local townships including Ocean Shores, Billinudgel, South Golden Beach, New Brighton and Brunswick Heads.
The final step is naming the field, say staff.
Suggestions can be emailed to Council’s capital project officer, Nikki Bourke, at [email protected].