Blacktown Olympic Park Upgrade
Thursday, August 24, 2006
PREMIER BREAKS NEW GROUND AT
BLACKTOWN OLYMPIC PARK AFL/CRICKET PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT
Image: Left to Right: AFL CEO - Andrew Demetriou, Mayor of Blacktown City - Councillor Leo Kelly, OAM, NSW Premier - The Honourable Morris Iemma, Minister for Western Sydney - Diane Beamer and Cricket NSW Chairman - Bob Horsell.
NSW Premier, Morris Iemma today cemented a major partnership with Blacktown City Council, the AFL and Cricket NSW by "breaking the ground" on a new $20 million sports facilities development in Sydney's west.
Premier Iemma led the Ground Breaking Ceremony at Blacktown Olympic Park with Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly OAM, Mr Andrew Demetriou, CEO of the AFL and Mr Bob Horsell, Chairman of Cricket NSW.
In a landmark arrangement, Blacktown City Council will construct two new ovals - one of which will accommodate 10,000 spectators - and an indoor practice centre for AFL and Cricket at the Blacktown Olympic Park.
Mr Iemma said the new sports grounds were part of an ongoing Olympic legacy from Sydney 2000, and would complement the existing international standard softball, baseball and athletics facilities.
Plans for the development at Blacktown Olympic Park include:
- Development of a main oval with capacity for 10,000 spectators (grandstand seating 1500, corporate seating 500, and embankment seating 8000);
- Development of a second oval for training and junior games;
- Construction of an indoor practice hall, potentially with a gymnasium, sports injury centre, and education and training facilities; and
- Provision of additional car parking.
"This new development will be fantastic for the local community in terms of access to first class sporting facilities and potentially world class sporting events," Mr Iemma said.
"As the Blacktown Olympic Park expands, the AFL has indicated it will expand its participation and talent development programs and increasingly base them in Western Sydney.
"The Park will be set up to host pre-season AFL matches, giving local fans the chance to see AFL teams compete in their own community.
"The facilities will also place Western Sydney in an extremely competitive position should the AFL decide to locate a second team in NSW, which is great news for all AFL fans.
"Cricket NSW has also indicated its intention to use the facility for its development programs and possibly for future first-class representative games for men and women."
What is Blacktown Olympic Park?
It covers 50 hectares within the Western Sydney Parklands.
It is located west of the Blacktown CBD and was developed as a playing and training venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
It is the home of NSW Softball, NSW Baseball and the International Goalkeeping Academy
World class baseball, softball and athletic facilities including;
- A softball venue with four diamonds and a 1,100 seat grandstand.
- A baseball venue with three diamonds and a 1,200 seat grandstand.
- An athletics track and field facility with a 1,200 seat grandstand
- Car parking, landscape areas and pathways.
- Hosts a variety of other sporting and community events and is open to the public to enjoy for leisure activities such as walking and picnicking.
- 400,000 visitors per year including over 500 clubs and more than 60 schools.
What does Blacktown City Council say?
Above: Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly, OAM
Blacktown City Mayor, Leo Kelly OAM, said the development of quality AFL and Cricket precinct will expand and enhance the facilities offered at Blacktown Olympic Park.
"Blacktown City is proud of the partnerships that have been formed with the State Government, AFL and Cricket NSW to develop this unique community facility.
"The new precinct will position Blacktown City strongly for any future AFL initiatives to locate a second team in Sydney and for Cricket NSW to host ING matches.
"Since opening for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Blacktown Olympic Park has continued to host local, national and international sporting competitions.
"The Park's reputation for world-class facilities and grounds has further elevated its profile around the globe and it has become the training venue of choice for a number of international sports groups.
I thank the Premier, AFL and Cricket NSW for their continued support and look forward to the exciting development that will benefit the local and wider community."
What does the Australian Football League say?
AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou said he was excited about the opportunities that a first-class facility at Blacktown Olympic Park will provide for the code.
"The new facilities at Blacktown Olympic Park will be the largest community AFL facility in Sydney and will help us grow towards our goals of increasing the popularity of the Sydney Swans and the game of AFL in the fastest growing region of Australia's biggest city.
"Western Sydney is a key market for the AFL and we look forward to being able to deliver even more quality programs through the development of the new complex.
"We will provide the local community with the opportunity to experience AFL in action at Blacktown Olympic Park including AFL NAB Auskick clinics, to inter-school competitions for primary and secondary schools, to talent camps and official AFL pre-season matches.
"It's exciting to know that together with the State Government, Blacktown City Council and Cricket NSW, we will deliver such a major recreation facility for the community of Western Sydney" he said.
Sydney Swans CEO Myles Baron-Hay added that the club is also looking forward to the completion of the facility.
"The opportunity to play pre-season games in our city during the busy cricket season will be a great outcome for the Sydney Swans.
"The new venue will allow us to work even more closely with the people of Western Sydney throughout the season at a first-class facility", he said.
What does Cricket NSW say?
Cricket NSW Chairman Bob Horsell says the new facility will provide fantastic opportunities for the game and the people of Western Sydney.
"Cricket NSW is delighted to be involved in this project. We are actively trying to grow the game and Western Sydney is a key area for us," Mr Horsell said.
"Cricket NSW is currently embarking on a junior recruitment program and many young players are signing up from this area. This facility will be a great asset for developing players and has the potential to be used for First Class and One-Day matches involving senior NSW teams.
"We are delighted to form a partnership with the State Government, the AFL and the Blacktown City Council. Today's "Turning of the Sod" is an historic day for the project, which will be of great benefit to future generations in a growing area of Sydney."
ends
Premier Carr announces $20 million for major new sporting facilities in Western Sydney
The Premier on NSW, Mr Bob Carr today announced a major $20 million development of sports facilities in Sydney's west, opening the door for a potential second AFL team in Sydney and for regular Pura Cup and One-Day cricket matches in Western Sydney.
In a landmark agreement, Blacktown City Council will construct new stadiums and sports fields for cricket and AFL at the Blacktown Olympic Park, complementing the existing softball, baseball and athletics facilities.
Planning for the new facilities will start immediately with construction starting towards the end of 2006 and due for completion in 2008.
Mr Carr said the new sports grounds were part of the government's strong and detailed plans for improving services and facilities in Western Sydney.
"These will be fantastic community sporting facilities that could also provide first class training grounds for a second AFL team in Sydney should the AFL decide to add to the League in the future."
"With Sydney growing at 1,000 people a week these new facilities will meet the growing demands of Western Sydney families."
Premier Carr made the announcement at Blacktown Olympic Park with the Minister for Infrastructure Planning and Natural Resources, Craig Knowles; Mr Dale Holmes from AFL NSW/ACT; Mark Taylor from Cricket NSW and Blacktown City Council Mayor Leo Kelly.
Plans for the upgrade at Blacktown Olympic Park include:
- Developing a main oval with seating capacity for 10,000 spectators, including a grandstand;
- Developing a second oval for training and junior games;
- Constructing an indoor practice hall, possibly with gym, sports injury and education and training facilities; and
- Providing additional car parking and an adventure playground.
At Blacktown Olympic Park, the Government will provide $15 million to expand facilities for AFL and cricket. The AFL has indicated that it will also make a $2.5 million contribution.
Mr Carr said that in coming years, as the Blacktown Olympic Park expands, the AFL will expand its participation and talent development programs and increasingly base them in Blacktown.
"Blacktown Olympic Park will also be the venue for pre-season matches, giving local residents the chance to see their AFL teams compete right here in their own community
"If the AFL establishes a second NSW team, these facilities will place Western Sydney in an extremely competitive position which is great news for all AFL fans.
"Cricket NSW is also looking at financially supporting the expansion and is keen to use the facility for its development programs and possibly for future first-class representative games for men and women," said Mr Carr.
The Government has also agreed to provide Blacktown City Council with $5 million to develop soccer fields between Rooty Hill Road South, and the Western Sydney Orbital.
This complex would include five soccer grounds, parking and player amenities. It will become the new home of the Blacktown District Soccer Football Association.
Work on the soccer complex is expected to be complete by 2007.
The $20 million for sports facilities is in addition to the $45 million already earmarked for the development of the Western Sydney Parklands over the next 10 years.
Mr Knowles commended Blacktown City Council for its role in the proposal.
"The local Council has been working on this proposal for some time in collaboration with Cricket NSW and the AFL. The enhancements they have planned will secure the future of these sports in the west of Sydney."
"With the 5,500 hectare Western Sydney Parklands in such close proximity to both existing communities in the west, and to new communities being developed in the north-west and south-west, it makes sense for the Government to be investing in infrastructure here."
"The Council should be credited with forging a partnership with these sporting organisations and with the Carr Government that will result in a major boost for the area," said Mr Knowles.
FUNDING FOR NEW SPORTING FACILITIES IN BLACKTOWN
The Government has committed $45 million over 10 years to fund infrastructure within the Western Sydney Parklands with revenue from the sale of Government land for residential and commercial use.
This share of the revenue will be increased to provide a further $20 million to go to the Blacktown City Council for the upgrade of these facilities.
What is Blacktown Olympic Park?
- It covers 50 hectares within the Western Sydney Parklands.
- It is located west of the Blacktown CBD and was developed as a playing and training venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
- It has world class baseball, softball and athletic facilities including:
- A softball venue with four diamonds and a 1,100 seat grandstand.
- A baseball venue with three diamonds and a 1,200 seat grandstand.
- An athletics track and field facility with a 1,000 seat grandstand (jointly funded by Council and the State Government) due to begin construction in May this year.
- Car parking, lawn areas and pathways.
- It also hosts a variety of other sporting and community events and is open to the public to enjoy for leisure activities such as walking and picnicking.
- In a typical year, it will be visited by 400,000 people from 500 clubs, 60 schools and casual visitors.
- In 2003/2004, 2,035 events were held at the park.
What will be developed at the Park?
- A main oval.
- Seating capacity for around 10,000 spectators, including a grandstand.
- A second oval for junior games and training.
- An indoor practice facility with a gym, sports injury and training and education facilities.
- An adventure playground.
- Additional car parking.
What will be developed at South Rooty Hill?
Council has been working with the Blacktown & District Soccer Football Association to develop a plan to establish a site at Rooty Hill as a complex for junior soccer. The development is planned to include:
- Five playing fields.
- Car parking.
- Amenities.
What does the Blacktown City Council say?
Their significant funding allocation will see the development of the Blacktown Olympic Park to accommodate a range of sports in addition to the existing sports of athletics, softball and baseball.
Importantly, the development of quality AFL training and playing facilities will position Blacktown City strongly for any future AFL initiatives to locate a second team in Sydney if and when the AFL deems this appropriate.
The Blacktown Olympic Park has continued to host local, national and international sporting competitions since it opened in February 2000 on the run up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics Baseball and Softball competitions.
The Park's reputation for its world class facilities and grounds has further elevated its profile around the globe.
The Park has become the training venue of choice for international baseball teams wishing to train at a world class venue in their off- season.
I thank the Premier, AFL and Cricket NSW for their continued support and look forward to the exciting development ahead that will benefit the local and wider community.
Councillor Leo Kelly OAM
Mayor, Blacktown City
What does Cricket NSW say?
Cricket NSW has been in discussions with Blacktown City Council for the past two years in attempting to create an important development base for cricket in the north-western area of Sydney.
The Blacktown Olympic Park precinct is ideally positioned to accommodate Cricket NSW's critical aims of further growing its participation base and developing the game for the enjoyment of future generations of male and female cricket players and supporters in this state.
Cricket NSW is most excited about this project and will contribute financially to it as appropriate.
Further, over time, a fully developed site lends itself to many additional opportunities namely the staging of First Class and One-Day matches involving the senior NSW teams.
David Gilbert
Chief Executive
NSW Cricket Association
What does the Australian Football League say?
(This) is the AFL's largest ever Australian Football community facility investment.
It reflects the growing demand for Australian Football facilities in one of Australia's fastest growing urban centres.
The facility will have recreational, social and economic impacts on the region and as part of the social plan emanating from the AFL/Blacktown Council community partnership, will host the AFL's multicultural program, school and community activities.
The AFL's financial commitment will further establish our presence in the Blacktown and the broader North Western Sydney Region.
AFL game development staff and AFL KickStart trainees are already operating in Blacktown and for the past three years, AFL Community Camps have been conducted in the Greater West.
Andrew Demetriou
Australian Football League Chief Executive Officer
We at the Sydney Swans think that it further demonstrates the AFL's plan to accelerate the growth of the game in Sydney - in this case in the greater west of Sydney.
It's a very important market and we remain committed to working with the AFL to get more kids playing the game and more of NSW's elite athletes on a pathway to playing for the Sydney Swans.
Myles Baron-Hay
Sydney Swans Chief Executive Officer
Graphics
Aerial shot of existing Blacktown Olympic Park
Aerial shot of Blacktown Olympic Park with artists impression of future work.
Blacktown City Council's masterplan for the upgrades to Blacktown Olympic Park
Preliminary plans for the development of soccer fields at Rooty Hill South
Media Contact :
Rosalyn Nicholas - Media and Marketing Officer - Blacktown Olympic Park - 9839 6595