Lighting at Ashwood Park is set to replaced in the coming month, with the installation of new LED lighting as well as a LED scoreboard.
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Ashwood Park is currently home to the Bathurst Bulldogs and hosted the 2019 Blowes Clothing Cup grand final day back in August, with the club winning three premierships in five grades.
Since making the move from Walmer Park to its current home ground on Hereford Street there have been sporadic night games but not regular matches because of the poor lighting facility at the ground.
But new LED lighting is set to be installed at Ashwood Park in the coming month, which will allow the ground to host top-level rugby union and host evening games on a more regular basis.
Funding for the project has partially come from the NSW Government, which has contributed $145,900 thanks to its Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the lighting will help raise the standard of the Ashwood Park facilities.
"The new lights will allow night matches to be scheduled as well as better opportunities for training," he said.
"There is also the possibility of other matches to be played at Ashwood Park, including regional or state competitions."
Mr Toole said the upgrades will add to the overall standard of Ashwood Park as a sporting venue in Bathurst and ensure it remains a premier location for rugby union in the Central West.
Bathurst Bulldogs president Greg Reid told the Western Advocate last week that the lighting was one of two major upgrades to Ashwood Park in the off-season.
"We are in the process of upgrading our lighting. We're getting new LED lighting to play night games," he explained.
"Our lighting was abysmal really, like Candlestick Park really. We've put in a fair bit of money ourselves, to help get that project over the line.
"We're also upgrading the canteen, it needs a makeover."
Work to install the new LED lighting is expected to be completed by Christmas.
Bulldogs won the first grade, third grade and women's premierships in 2019, while suffering defeats to Orange Emus and Dubbo Kangaroos in seconds and colts respectively.
Bulldogs plan to enter a first grade and second grade in both the Blowes Clothing Cup and New Holland Cup competitions in the 2020 season.