Bathurst Regional Council signed off on a $7.4 million upgrade of the city’s main soccer complex in April last year, with the first stage planned to be the construction of an all-weather surface on the main ground.

But a report to Wednesday night’s monthly meeting will ask councillors to consider a new schedule of works that would see priority be given instead to upgrading work on three outer grounds to cope with heavy rain.

Proctor Park fields have regularly been under water this year making play impossible on many weekends throughout the winter season.

The report by engineering director Doug Patterson says the request came from Bathurst District Football following consultation with its member clubs.

BDF has again written to council asking that “the Stage 1 funds allocation of $1 million be directed to upgrading as many of the existing grass fields with new drainage, shaping and turfing as per the quotes by Turf Drain Pty Ltd as possible”.

The new stage 1 work would inlcude upgrading the lighting on Field 2 and fencing for Fields 1 and 2.

“In effect BDF is asking that Stage 2 of the project replace the Synthetic Field Construction of Stage 1 and that the synthetic pitch be moved to a later stage pending funds and location,” the BDF states in its request to council.

“… BDF affirms its commitment to assist in funding of $100,000 for the project but asks that the term of repayment be longer then the stated five years.

“BDF thanks council for its ongoing support, and for the opportunity to present our requests.”

Apart from plans for a synthetic field, the Proctor Park master plan also includes the purchase of 17.6 hectares adjacent to Proctor Park, the sealing of the main car park at the complex, new lighting and amenities rooms and a $3 million development of the main grandstand.