THE New Norfolk District Football Club says it is ‘over the moon’ with tonight’s announcement that will see much-needed upgrades to facilities at Boyer Oval and Tynwald Park. “It’s been a very long time coming, but now it’s a reality and we will finally get the facilities we need,” NNDFC president Sally Coleman said.
Derwent Valley Council mayor Michelle Dracoulis said she was pleased to see that the Australian Labor Party’s federal election commitment of $5 million for New Norfolk sports facility upgrades had been included in tonight’s new Federal Budget.
Labor’s Federal Member for Lyons, Brian Mitchell, said he was delighted to be able to deliver on the commitment which had been a feature of several election campaigns and would provide better community sports facilities in New Norfolk.
“It’s taken the election of a federal Labor government for this to happen,” Mr Mitchell tonight told New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News. “I look forward to working with the council, clubs and other stakeholders to get these facilities built as soon as possible,” he said.
Ms Coleman said the existing current changeroom facilities at Boyer Oval were not fit-for-purpose and this had a flow-on effect in the recruiting of new players, particularly due to the lack of specific facilities for female players. “Along with the Molesworth Cricket Club we have been working closely with the Derwent Valley Council for many years on programs to improve the Boyer Oval facilities and this announcement is one of the most significant in the club’s history and we look forward to work commencing on the upgrades,” she said.
“The changeroom upgrade project is a priority and along with a number of other projects such as the grandstand, kiosk, scoreboard and public address system that will also need to be modernised over the next few years,” she said. “Special thanks to Federal Member for Lyons, Brian Mitchell and his team w ho have been active and long-time supporters of our club and its endeavours to upgrade the facilities,” Ms Coleman said.
Councillor Dracoulis said the promised funding of $5 million would fund key elements of the council’s recreational facilities at Boyer Oval and Tynwald Park. “Council will now commence detailed discussions with user groups to finalise planning and facility designs. It is anticipated that construction will begin early next year,” she said.
Cr Dracoulis said she was delighted to see the funding confirmed in the budget, further strengthening the relationship between Council and the Federal Government. “It’s wonderful to see results from council’s advocacy for our community. We have been working closely with the Federal Government for some time, and being able to progress with key plans for upgrades to our sporting infrastructure is a real win for the Derwent Valley,” she said.
The funding announcement has also been welcomed by the New Norfolk Soccer Club. “Very thankful for the support from Brian Mitchell and the Labor government,” a spokesman posted on Facebook. “We are looking forward to working with the Derwent Valley Council to secure a more promising and sustainable future for soccer in New Norfolk. We currently have no viable facilities for any players let alone female-friendly facilities or an area for referees.”
One Comment
Great news, of course, just a shame the Hudson statue was rushed by a previous council at a site that “had football played there”, denying the Boyer Oval and the Football Club a proper Pilgrimage role, with the huddo home also only yards away.