The revamped Maitland Sportsground will help put the region in the minds of major event organisers, Mayor Peter Blackmore says.
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Upgrades as part of the $8.6 million redevelopment include a new 1100-seat grandstand, two large change rooms that can be partitioned to make four rooms, high quality public amenities and a new canteen – as well as a fresh playing surface.
NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts was on hand to officially open the new-look sportsground on Wednesday afternoon, along with more than 20 stakeholders and community members.
Cr Blackmore said he hoped the sportsground – home to the Maitland Pickers – would put Maitland in the conversation when major sporting event organisers were choosing a location.
Cr Brian Burke, who played about 250 first grade games for the Pickers in the 1960s and 1970s, said the facility would be an asset for the entire city – not just for the rugby league community.
“It’s just a magnificent facility,” he said.
Nick Bielby
Nick Bielby is a crime reporter who has worked as a journalist since 2011. Having joined the Newcastle Herald in 2017, he won a Walkley Award in 2019 with Donna Page for their investigation 'Dirty Deeds', which exposed the decades of illegal dumping of toxic material in and around a Hunter waterway.
Nick Bielby is a crime reporter who has worked as a journalist since 2011. Having joined the Newcastle Herald in 2017, he won a Walkley Award in 2019 with Donna Page for their investigation 'Dirty Deeds', which exposed the decades of illegal dumping of toxic material in and around a Hunter waterway.
