Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP met with Coolamon Shire Council and members of the Coolamon Rovers Football and Netball Club to officially open the Kindra Park Sporting Precinct today.
$177,132 in works were funded through Round Two of the Stronger Country Communities Fund last year and have been completed well ahead of schedule.
The works include extending and resurfacing the main ground, replacing all irrigation systems, re-concreting the netball courts, installing a PA and constructing a new car park area. The 11 metre extension of the oval means Coolamon is now eligible to host finals.
President of the Coolamon Rovers Football Club Derek Owens said since the completion of the upgrades, participation has skyrocketed.
“The difference is when you start doing projects, people start taking notice and putting their hands up to be involved,” Mr Owens said.
“Everyone in local AFL has been blown away with how good the ground looks, we’ve had comments from every team we’ve played and AFL administrators, past players, past members – it’s bringing a lot of people out of the woodwork.”
On top of the SCCF grant, the club also received $21,183 to upgrade the canteen facilities from the NSW Government, funding a new cool room, commercial rapid deep fryer and pie display oven to take some pressure off volunteers.
Coolamon Shire Council General Manager Tony Donoghue said the project is a great example of the real impact SCCF funding is having around the shire.
“These funds are being used for real, on the ground improvements within communities and upgrading these and other facilities is instigating interest, support and participation,” Mr Donoghue said.
The Stronger Country Communities program has funded 124 projects for a total of over $26 million across the Cootamundra electorate alone.
