Two new fields, 800-space car park to bolster Hereford St sporting complex

Both St Pat's rugby league club and Bathurst Bulldogs rugby union club have home grounds at the complex, with two fields at each the Jack Arrow Sporting Complex and Ann Ashwood Park respectively.

The $6.2 million project to continue the expansion of the Hereford Street sporting complex will see the two new fields built between both club's home grounds.

The development will also see an amenities block constructed, lighting installed, an 800-space carpark and roundabout to make it easier and safer to enter and exit the complex.

READ MORE:

Bathurst mayor Ian North said the project is exciting.

"This project is awesome for Bathurst," he said.

"We can now present six fields. Rugby league, rugby union and maybe even soccer if you wanted to, they could come out here and have big carnivals.

"Six fields, two clubs, an extra amenities, it's pretty much unheard of in country areas. The rugby union and rugby league sides have a wonderful facility and in the middle will be facility that will be not exclusive to anyone but if we've got a big event coming up, we know we've got those two extra fields."

Of the $6.2 million cost for the project, $2.6 million comes from a NSW Government Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund grant, with the addition $3.6 million funded by Bathurst Regional Council.

"The fields are important for the growing local population who need sport facilities, but there is room to engage more people in sport and to host large events such as regional and state-based competitions," Bathurst MP Paul Toole said.

St Pat's secretary Gary Goldsmith said his club is extremely grateful for the work put for the project.

"Rugby league and rugby union are going to have a better assist than what it has now," he said.

"It's been something we've needed for some time and I feel the rugby union boys feel the pressure with their club growing and our club growing."

Bathurst Bulldogs secretary Justin Mobbs said the project will be a great thing for not only his club but the entire local community.

"This is nice to have rather than needed, but it's going to fill a gap that not many areas have," he said.

"Six fields in a small proximity of each other and the facility to go with it, the club houses, amenities, top notch fields is great.

"This will impact the junior competitions in the region with their gala days, with so many matches being played at the one place at one time."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: