Official Reopening of Tumbarumba Sportsground Kicks Off
Published on 16 May 2019
Member for Albury, Justin Clancy MP today joined Snowy Valleys Council’s Mayor Cr James Hayes and local community groups to officially acknowledge the completion of upgrades to the Tumbarumba Sportsground.
Snowy Valleys Council secured $308,000 in funding to upgrade the playing surface at the ground through the first round of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF).
Mr Clancy said the SCCF was developed to deliver crucial local infrastructure to improve the quality of life for people living in regional NSW.
“We all know the importance of being active, getting outside and enjoying life,” said Mr Clancy. “It’s through grants like this one provided by the NSW Government that communities are able to afford to upgrade the playing surface at a vital sportsground, helping make it safer for players, improving irrigation and helping out businesses by driving growth in sports tourism. The way I see it is that this is a boost not simply for fitness, but for player safety and participation”.
Mayor Hayes said the upgrade has ensured the oval is now fit-for-purpose, with the result being a superior playing surface.
“The Tumbarumba Sportsground is an invaluable facility for the local sports clubs, schools and community. This impressive new playing surface will give us the opportunity to draw visiting clubs here on a more regular basis and attract regional sports competitions and other events into our area”, Cr Hayes said.
The 50+ year old oval had a history of becoming water logged during prolonged wet weather resulting in inconsistent conditions for a high standard of play.
Works on the Sportsground included removal of the existing playing surface, installation of new automatic irrigation and sub surface drainage systems, and returfing.
“There is never a perfect time to undertake oval resurfacing works and I’d like to recognise and thank the local user groups for their cooperation and patience,” Cr Hayes said. “The upgrade has certainly enhanced the playing surface of the field and will greatly improve player safety”.