Howzat! New indoor cricket training facility for Armidale Sportsground

The Armidale Sportsground will soon boast its own indoor cricket training facility, thanks to a $340,000 project being delivered by the Armidale Regional Sports Council in conjunction with the Armidale District Cricket Association (ADCA).

Armidale Regional Council’s Sport and Recreation Development Officer Amy Biggs said work on the project, which has been a key priority for the Sports Council, is set to start by the end of the month.

 “The indoor cricket training and multipurpose venue will be a major enhancement for the Armidale Sportsground, it will comprise a 36m x 15m colorbond building, providing four training lanes, with insulation and a full synthetic fit out,” Ms Biggs said.

“With all sport on hold for the last few months due to COVID-19, construction of this facility will be welcome news for the sporting community, who I’m sure are looking forward to getting back on the pitch as soon as NSW Government Public Health Orders permit it,” Ms Biggs said.

ADCA President Mike Porter said the facility is a much needed resource that will benefit younger players coming through in particular, by providing another aspect for their training.

“Our players find it difficult to train in the cold weather and this facility means we can train at all times of the year, regardless of weather,” Mr Porter said.

“This is a huge win for cricketers in the region and I can’t wait to see it come out of the ground.”   

Chair of the Armidale Regional Sports Council, Councillor Brad Widders, said the project will enhance the Armidale Sportsground as a regional facility for training and competitions and will be suitable for indoor training use by other sports such as netball and soccer.

A Development Application for stage one of the project, which includes earthworks, slab, and the main building construction, has been approved, and construction is planned to be completed by August 2020.

Stage two of the project includes internal fit out and the adjoined toilets/change rooms and office space and is subject to funding.

Council funding of $95,000 was committed in the 2019/20 financial year via the Sports Council, ADCA has contributed $20,000 and $10,000 has been committed by the Easts Cricket Club.

ADCA has also sought and acquired significant grant funding, including $80,000 from the Cricket Australia Infrastructure Fund and almost $40,000 from the NSW ICC World T20 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund.

A further grant application has been made to the Building Better Regions Fund – Infrastructure Projects Stream – Round 4 – Drought Support.

“A mammoth effort has been put in by the Armidale District Cricket Association in order to get the project off the ground,” Ms Biggs said.

“There is currently no indoor cricket training facility in the Armidale or broader Northern Tablelands region and this project will be a great asset for our local cricket community,” Cr Widders said.

Published on 09 Jun 2020