Bathurst Regional Council is set to receive a grant from the federal government that will go towards upgrading the canteen at the Bathurst Sportsground.
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The grant, worth $50,000, will see improvements to the canteen's existing facilities, including a new grease trap, floor to ceiling tiling and new benches.
Federal member for Calare Andrew Gee made the announcement at the sportsground yesterday along with deputy leader of the Nationals and minister for sport Bridget McKenzie.
Mr Gee said the canteen upgrade will serve as a tremendous benefit to the Bathurst community.
"This ground is used all year round but the canteen features a sink, a concrete floor and not much more," Mr Gee said.
"So many sporting clubs in the Bathurst community use this canteen as their base of operations during events, and this grant will help take the canteen and sportsground into a new era."
The funding has been delivered through the federal government's Community Sport Infrastructure Grant program.
The canteen upgrade is expected to cost $120,000 and Mr Gee said the funding announcement reinforces the federal government's commitment to rural community projects.
"Government is about delivering the services and infrastructure that people need out here to make life better and for the last eight years, that's what I've been working on as both a state and federal member," he said.
Ms McKenzie said the grant highlights the importance of sport in regional communities and the need to ensure sporting clubs have adequate facilities to host events.
"Our government would like to see more Australians engaged in sport and physical activity, and that's why we're making record investments in community sporting infrastructure," she said.
"Participating in sport is beneficial for your physical and mental health, and we understand how important it is to keep families and communities together and socially connected."
Bathurst mayor Graeme Hanger called the funding a big win for local sporting clubs and schools.
"It's a wonderful gift for us and we're appreciative of the federal government's commitment to sport in Bathurst," Mr Hanger said.
As vice-president of the Bathurst District Cricket Association, Stephen Cain has a lot to do with the sportsground, and said the funding will make a big difference.
"The canteen is about 20 years old, and these upgrades will make life easier for our volunteers during cricket season," Mr Cain said.
"This is our main ground and we'd like to eventually make it picture-perfect."
