St Pat’s had played its home matches for 24 years at the former St Patrick’s Sporting Club off Gilmour Street at Kelso before the club went into liquidation.

The site was taken over by O’Hara Hotels Group which reopened the clubhouse as Paddy’s Hotel, and St Pat’s continued playing there last year under a deal with owner Liam O’Hara.

St Pat’s was offered an extended lease at the ground, but a failure to secure funding from the Country Rugby League forced them to look elsewhere.

Councillors will vote on Wednesday night on a proposal for St Pat’s to play its home matches at Bathurst Sportsground, while Bathurst Panthers continue playing out of Carrington Park. Both grounds are council-owned facilities.

In a report to councillors, corporate services and finance director Bob Roach says St Pat’s approached council about the possibility of playing at the sportsground, and the final proposal followed months of discussions with both St Pat’s and Panthers.

“To ensure that both clubs are able to continue to conduct competition games and undertake training, it has been agreed that Bathurst Panthers RLFC will only use Carrington Park for their competition and training, the Panthers juniors will use Carrington Park for competition, and training will be conducted at Alan Morse Park,” Mr Roach said.

“St Pat’s seniors will use the Bathurst Sportsground for competition and training, and the St Pat’s juniors will use Alan Morse Park for competition and their training will be conducted at Learmonth Park. 

“This temporary arrangement is acceptable to both clubs.”

While Panthers had paid $11,000 a year to council to prepare and maintain the sportsground and Carrington Park, that cost will now be shared between the clubs.

Council’s policy allows for junior clubs to use council-owned facilities at no cost while the clubs have agreed to pay for the gas and electricity used at each venue.

“Council will closely monitor the increased usage of the venues to ensure that the playing surfaces are not overused,” Mr Roach said.

“Should there be an increase to the level of maintenance required,  council will discuss this matter with the sporting bodies concerned.”