ARMIDALE Netball Association is $25,000 closer to its goal of constructing a children’s playground at the Lynches Road courts after receiving a grant from the State Government’s Community Building Partnership program.
Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall met with the association’s committee members at the netball courts last week to announce the grant, discuss the playground and review the fund-raising efforts.
The association requires $153,000 to complete the project and have, to date, raised more than $90,000.
New England Mutual and the Armidale Sports Council have all contributed to the project which is part of the association’s four-year strategic plan.
Mr Marshall and the Deputy Premier praised the association for their efforts so far and suggested ways and in which they could reach the final amount.
“The club has close to 700 members and there is a great need for a large-scale playground for all the children who not only play netball but come to the courts with their parents or live close by,” Mr Marshall said.
“I was delighted to support the Association’s application – it’s an excellent concept and will be a huge boon for Armidale. I’m very pleased to see funding going to such a worthwhile project.
“The playground can be used by the general public so it will be a great community asset.”
Mr Stoner said the CPB grants also help ease some of the financial burden on local councils and private donors, which are often asked to help out these sorts of projects.
“This is what these grants are all about; we are not only building partnerships within the community, but helping to sustain them,” he said.
Armidale netball’s coaching co-ordinator Rochelle Joyce said there could be anywhere up to 1000 people at the grounds on the weekend during netball season, half of them children.
“When the courts aren’t being used for netball games, children and their parents come down here with their bicycles and ride around,” Ms Joyce said.
“It’s a great meeting place and the playground with be an excellent addition to our grounds.
“We are very grateful for the assistance from the NSW Government and the support from Adam.”
