Liverpool’s sporting infrastructure set for a boost

Liverpool City Council has been granted over $710,000 in funding from the NSW Government to upgrade and further improve the quality of sporting infrastructure for all abilities around the Liverpool Local Government Area.

The NSW Government committed $50 million to the NSW Office of Sport’s Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund across 2020-21 to support eligible organisations to develop quality core sports infrastructure that meets the current and future needs of the community.

During this current round, Council successfully submitted applications for funding support for three critical projects that will revitalise Bigge Park’s Tennis Complex and the Michael Clarke Recreation Centre and improve accessibility at the Whitlam Leisure Centre.

Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Waller today welcomed the funding for the upgrades and said the Liverpool Local Government Area has a long history of being a training ground for many successful Australian professional athletes.

“Former Australian cricket captains, Olympians and many rugby league greats called Liverpool home early in their careers.”

Supplemented by Council contributions, the bulk of the funding will be used to install parquetry flooring within the multipurpose court areas at the Michael Clarke Recreation Centre located in the Carnes Hill Community and Recreation Precinct.

Funds will also be used to revitalise the Bigge Park Tennis Courts including a resurface of the courts, upgrades to fencing and lighting and the implementation of a booking system for simple and effective community access.

“We’re pleased to use these funds to improve the sporting amenities around Liverpool and hope these upgrades will go a long way towards fostering the next generation of professional athletes,” Mayor Waller said.

The funds will also be used for an accessibility upgrade to the Whitlam Leisure Centre which includes the installation of a ‘Changing Places’ changeroom and an access ramp to the 25-metre pool for those with limited mobility or who are in a wheelchair.

A ‘Changing Places’ changeroom is a standard of accessible changing space that accommodates the needs of adults with a disability and their carers. Changerooms are specially equipped with hydraulic change tables, benches and other items designed to enhance the experience of dependent adults with a disability.

Mayor Waller said the changeroom is an exclamation mark on the upgrades that have been undertaken at Whitlam Leisure Centre over the last 12 months to support adults and their families with accessibility requirements.

“We want to be a City known for supporting people of all abilities to live, work and play,” Mayor Waller said.