COUNCILLOR Ian North doesn't want to see a revitalised Alec Lamberton Park become another home for soccer in Bathurst.
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Under the proposal from dsb Landscape Architects, two multi-use rectangular sports fields, an amenities building, meeting room and a car park would be part of the redevelopment.
Other infrastructure, such as seating, tables and a walking path, have also been proposed.
The concept design incorporated ideas put forward by community members during the consultation, including those from the White Rock Progress Association and Panorama Football Club (PFC).
Speaking on behalf of both groups last week, Ben Fry praised the concept design, saying it encompassed feedback from the community.
The groups feel that Alec Lamberton Park will become a well-utilised community asset and be a "beautiful entrance to our town".
"Too long has the industrial tin sheds of the surrounding estate stood to welcome our tourists from O'Connell Road. On a very base level, it's nice to welcome travellers with a foliage-filled rest stop rather than a concrete and steel jungle there," Mr Fry said.
He noted that PFC has an interest in using Alec Lamberton Park to host many of its operations, including its summer football competition, pre and in-season training, and future development training to create an elite team.
However, this is where Cr North has reservations.
He has no issue with having fields in the design, but said Bathurst already has a facility geared to soccer at Proctor Park, which council has invested millions of dollars into and plans to expand.
"We have an area that is going to allow for 11 new sporting fields and those sporting fields are football fields," he said.
"They'll also incorporate a artificial turf field and an amenities building with lighting, with fencing, with parking.
"We have done a couple of stages already of our soccer facility and what I don't want to see is another facility created.
"I'm happy to have sporting fields out there, toilet block, maybe a small area for the community with a hall ... but we have a football facility that has a master plan and I would like to see this club have access to not only normal grassed fields, but an artificial turf field, in the precinct that we have put so much time and effort into."
Cr Warren Aubin on the other hand has no issue with PFC training at Alec Lamberton Park, saying it would take the pressure off Police Paddock.
He said the design could also include a synthetic turf, which would be easier to maintain.
