MORE than 10,000 square metres of turf have been laid, and that is for just one of Bathurst’s new rugby league fields.
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Construction of the two rugby league fields along Hereford Street begun in mid 2016, and now specially-grown turf is being laid on the first field.
Across three days this week, 10,500 square metres of turf will be laid on a specially-prepared 300 millimetre deep sand drainage base.
But, that is just the start of the extensive works for St Pat’s Rugby League Football Club.
By the beginning of the club’s 2018 season, players will also have a new clubhouse at the site, similar to the one already constructed for the Bathurst Bulldogs just up the road.
It’s not just an ideal venue for our club to play football at, to be able to come out to something shiny and new is fantastic.
- St Pat’s Rugby League Club Football Club president David Chapman
At Thursday’s field inspection, St Pat’s president David Chapman said players and officials were overjoyed to see the project’s construction well underway.
“It’s all about having a home base,” he said.
St Pat's junior and senior players have been without a home ground since they finished playing at Jack Arrow Oval following their 2012 season.
“It’s not just an ideal venue for our club to play football at, to be able to come out to something shiny and new is fantastic,” Mr Chapman said.
He said having a dedicated home ground will also help with integration between the club’s junior and senior players, with each having the opportunity to learn from the other.
Bathurst Regional Council mayor Graeme Hanger said, once complete, the new fields will benefit the wider community thanks to the rugby union fields just up the road.
“We can hold carnivals of pretty big proportions and get lots of teams here, both in rugby league and rugby union,” he said.
“This is just another example of council supporting the local sporting clubs.
“We have worked closely with the community to develop this project … the fields and clubhouse will cater for all levels of rugby league and sporting activities.”
A $75,000 Footy Facilities Fund grant was awarded to St Pat’s in September, 2015 which will go towards construction of the new clubhouse.