Partnership leads to new hockey field

Published: 07 Aug 2020 4:31pm

Wagga Wagga City Council is again joining forces with Wagga Wagga Combined Hockey Association to continue improvements at the Jubilee Park hockey complex.

Councillors recently agreed to accept the hockey association’s offer for the construction of the replacement synthetic water-based surface at the complex.

The agreement is a 50-50 partnership with Council where costs on the $460K project will be split and the hockey association will project manage the works.

The new field adds to several improvements at the complex including lighting, fencing, safety netting, storage areas and closed circuit security cameras.

Council Strategic Recreation Officer Peter Cook said Council’s partnership with WWCHA has proved successful in previous works and considers this relationship one of the best among local sporting groups.

“Council has entered into similar agreements previously with sporting organisations including the construction of additional seating, the southern hill and change rooms at McDonald’s Park and for the upgrade of the tennis courts at the South Wagga Tennis Club,” Mr Cook said.

“These projects have delivered excellent value for Council funding and have produced high quality venues post development. It has also provided improved ownership and community participation.”

WWCHA president Ken Larkin said the association was fortunate to have a strong community which is keen to take on the project management.

“We have worked alongside Council on a number of improvements now and we’ve forged a great partnership which delivers for the community and provides more value for our dollar,” Mr Larkin said.

“Our own hockey family also has many people in business and with varied skill sets which gives us many options when we want to start and manage a project … having Council on board is a win-win for the whole community.”

Mr Larkin said the current synthetic surface had been down for about 13 years and was well past its use-by date. The replacement will also include new shock pad under the surface which will reduce the chance of injury to players.

The old surface is being recycled and will be used at a paintball facility near Sydney.

Mr Larkin expects work to start in October and be completed by December, weather permitting.

Pictured Above: Wagga Wagga Combined Hockey Association preseident Ken Larkin (left) and Council's Peter Cook at the Jubilee Park hockey complex recently.