Construction fencing was up at Proctor Park on Monday morning, less than 24 hours after CSU FC and Panorama FC played off in the Bathurst District Football men’s premier league grand final. 

It is a long-awaited win for football in Bathurst, as Proctor Park will have three brand new fields completely irrigated and with efficient surface water run-off. 

Fields have been unplayable in previous years due to waterlogged pitches during wet winters. 

Bathurst District Football president Andrew Speed said it’s an exciting time for football in the city.

“It’s the first major upgrades [for Proctor Park],” he said.

“The whole idea is to have drainage so we can play on it after it rains.

“What was happening before was the water wasn’t draining off the field.

“We feel that it’s been a long time coming and we’ve been working on it in the past 18 months.

“Council have been good, as we have worked through the process.

“Weather permitting, it’ll be ready come the start of next season.” 

Fields one, two and three cope with anywhere from three to four games each Saturday and Sunday and could have up to another four midweek games.

Ultimately, the first three fields may, on certain weeks, have to deal with a dozen games of football.

The three new fields are part of Bathurst Regional Council’s “masterplan” for Proctor Park, which will see significant capital investment into the growth and development of football in Bathurst.

The works are to involve field contouring to provide for an efficient surface and water run-off.

A new turf irrigation system will also be installed throughout the summer, with sand slit drainage works and the construction of surface stormwater drainage. 

The field will be resurfaced with a hard-wearing sports couch grass surface.

Council originally announced its intentions to redevelop Proctor Park back in April 2015.