PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has pledged $25 million for a purpose-built sporting precinct at Orange – but only if coalition candidate Kate Hazelton defeats incumbent Orange MP Phil Doanto at next month’s state election.
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The Orange Sporting Precinct plan – developed by Orange City Council on a site near the Northern Distributor Road – would make the city a regional hub for sporting events, according to Ms Berejiklian.
It would include an AFL, cricket and multipurpose oval; an athletic field and track with covered, tiered seating; and a main rugby union/league field with a 1500-seat grandstand and seating mounds, with a total capacity for 8500.
“This will be a major regional sporting complex,” Ms Berejiklian said in Orange on Wednesday.
“Not only would it satisfy the needs of many local sporting groups who are crying out for this investment but it would also put Orange on the map to be able to host very important regional events, bring tourism to the town.”
“But this will only happen if Kate [Hazelton] is the member, and I want to make that clear because we’ve worked out guts out to build a strong budget and we want to make sure Orange gets its fair share.”
VIDEO: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian speaking in Orange …
Mrs Hazelton, who is standing for the Nationals for the March 23 election, said the sporting precinct would change the face of sport in the region for participants and spectators, and would attract major events.
“This will be a boon for all who participate in, and watch, sport locally, but will also deliver economic benefits with a better capacity to stage major events here in Orange,” she said.
“I don’t want to see our community get left behind, which is why am asking the community to back me in and make this top-tier sporting facility a reality.
VIDEO: Member for Orange Phil Donato responds to the announcement …
“Should I be elected to parliament, I will be proud to deliver the funding for the Orange Sports Precinct as part of a NSW Liberals and Nationals government.”
