Speaking about the release of details about Bathurst Regional Council’s masterplan for the complex, Mr Moore said it was a “big deal”.

The masterplan proposes improvements including resealing the main car parking area and creating an all-weather field.

“Don’t get me wrong, council has been doing all it can at Proctor Park for us and we appreciate that, but this is a really big deal,” he said.

“Every year we wage a constant battle through the winter with the cold and wet weather impacting on the quality of the fields.

“And the car park ... well, it becomes a horrible quagmire when we get inclement weather because there’s so many cars coming and going over any given weekend. 

“Ask anyone who knows Proctor Park and they will tell you it’s impossible to move at the place on a Saturday.”

Mr Moore said it was good that after all the talk, the makeover might become a reality.

“It’s been on the table for a while. We just didn’t know when it would happen,” he said.

“This is the best news we’ve heard for a while. It’s recognition of soccer’s standing in the community.

“Council has done a lot for other sports and now it’s soccer’s turn.

“We will have the single complex for a base for the sport as a regional complex. Now it’s just a matter of council budgeting to come up with the cash to pay for it all.”

Cr Warren Aubin said he had always been an advocate for a 

better soccer complex, having been involved with the sport through his children over many years.

“You only have to get wet weather early in the season like we’ve had and the grounds really struggle to recover for the rest of the season,” he said. 

“And because they become water-logged due to the clay base, there’s invariably ground closures involved much more than officials would prefer.

“The key is the all-weather field like they have overseas in places like England and Europe where it rains so often. 

“I know a lot of people are excited by what is being proposed. It’s going to be great for the sport.”