Stage one of the proposed redevelopment of Arkinstall Park at Tweed Heads South has been given a $5million shot in the arm by the Federal Government.
The Park, which currently hosts tennis, netball and soccer, will eventually receive a $42 million facelift to turn it into a regional facility which the Council and local clubs hope will attract plenty of high profile tournaments to the region.
It is also hoped the facilities will allow the Tweed to attract teams to train here in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018.
Council will contribute $2.62 million to the project with Tennis Australia contributing $100,000 and the Tweed Netball Association $30,000, bringing the total value of the redevelopment to $7,750,000.
The funding will cover stage one of the proposed $42 million Arkinstall Park Regional Sports Centre project and will include upgrades to the existing tennis and netball facilities as well as new car parking and internal access road construction.
Tweed Mayor Barry Longland said the upgrade would provide the Tweed community with a valuable resource for local competitions, as well as the ability to host higher level tournaments.
“I would first like to thank Federal Member Justine Elliot for her support in securing this funding and her enthusiastic support for the project which I hope will continue,” Councillor Longland said.
“This upgrade will include a new playground and picnic facilities which will ensure the whole community benefits from very early on in the park’s development.”
Arkinstall Park is one of 15 projects across NSW chosen in round two of the Federal Government’s five year, $1 billion, Regional Development Australia Fund.
Regional Australia Minister, Simon Crean said the $5 million project will address a gap in the sporting facilities available in Tweed and be used by people of all ages including members of the local Indigenous community.
The project will include a high performance tennis centre with additional courts, upgraded clubhouse facilities and a regional netball facility with improved court surfaces and lighting.
“The outstanding facilities will encourage participation in sporting activities by members of the community,” Mr Crean said.
“The Council will work closely with local high schools and encourage usage by all members of the community – a clear win for the health of Tweed residents.”
Council’s Manager of Recreation Services Stewart Brawley said stage one of the project will provide a wide range of infrastructure for the planned regional sports facility.
“Along with the new tennis and netball courts we will be upgrading the tennis and netball clubhouses, improving the lighting on the courts, providing new public amenities and a new recreation area,” Mr Brawley said.
“There will also be a new entrance to the park connecting with Kirkwood Road which will provide direct access to the new Kirkwood Road interchange.
“When stage two is complete the Arkinstall Park Regional Sports Centre will provide a regional level sports complex with a multi-purpose indoor sports building and a grandstand facility which will be able to host regional sporting competitions and be suitable to host state competitions.”
Construction on the project is expected to begin later this year and last approximately 12 months.
