A $1.2 million upgrade of Marcellin Park’s facilities will guarantee the Maitland Blacks’ long-term future, Blacks president Pat Howard said.
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A $500,000 grant from the Federal Government’s AusSport Community Sport Infrastructure Fund announced on Friday was the final major outside contribution needed for the plan which will include lighting for night games and a 600 seat function room to generate on-going funds.
Howard said the old grandstand would be replaced with a virtually duplicate facility in size and design of the newer northern grandstand.
He said the two stands would be joined to form the largest function space in the region, capable of hosting conferences or functions for up to 600 people upstairs.
Downstairs will include new women’s change rooms and a junior area.
The overall timetable is for completion of all works by the start of the 2020 season.
“The No.1 priority is to have disabled access in place before the start of the 2019 season,” Howard said.
“We are not going to let another season go by with one of our favourite sons Dom Punch unable to enjoy all his club’s facilities because they do not have wheelchair access.”
Howard said former Blacks president Ben Emmett was the driving force behind the project and sourcing funds for it to proceed.
“Ben was responsible for all the work in putting together submissions and driving the project through with help form a lot of people along the line.”
Howard said the upgrade of facilities to allow them to be better utilised by the wider community and other sporting bodies was the key to securing the club’s long-term future.
“We need to generate income from the facilities to pay for their running and upkeep now and into the future,” he said.
“The upgrade of our grounds can now be fully appreciated with $70,000 in grants from the state government boosting on-field lighting and security lighting in the car park.
“We can run tournaments and sporting events through the year, day and night.
“We will also have the largest function area in Maitland with first class catering facilities to generate important income as well.”
In announcing the funding, Member for Lyne David Gillespie said Marcellin Park was used by hundreds of senior, junior and women’s rugby teams during the year.
Dr Gillespie said the Maitland Blacks were formed in 1877 and were Australia’s second oldest rugby club,.
The club has been growing rapidly with 660 players registered including 498 juniors, which includes 76 girls; and the 157 senior player ranks include 37 women, all active players. The Blacks have 200 registered netball players as well.
“The government has prioritised investment in local grassroots sports because we recognise the wider health, social and community benefits that come from greater activity and participating in sport,” Dr Gillespie said.
“It is a key priority of our government to promote the social and health benefits of physical activity.
“I was so pleased to support this club application as they have a track record of huge community use, are family friendly, self starters, exhibit strong volunteer ethos and back themselves.”