A total of $1.1 million of NSW Government funding is heading to Maitland, with much of that set to improve the quality, accessibility, and gender equity of key sporting amenities for sportspeople across the region.
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Maitland Park has received a boost, with $400,000 set to refurbish the changeroom block that services the facility's outer fields and empower women and girls to participate in grassroots sports.
These upgrades will see the changeroom block gutted and refitted with modern facilities, including private changing areas and showers, the roof replaced and exploring opportunities for improved natural light and airflow.
The park is one of Maitland's most trafficked sporting centres, with up to 1,600 users per week in the summer and almost 3,000 per week during winter playing sports like cricket, football, touch footy, and more.
Cooks Square Park, home to Maitland FC, is receiving $560,000 for refitting existing amenities and installing new amenities that will bring the facility up to scratch with the changing demographics now using the sportsground.
The club is home to seven Women's Premier League teams, who regularly host teams from across Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, and Mid North Coast.
The proposed upgrades will include a refit and refurbishment of the existing changerooms at the site, plus the construction of additional refereeing facilities to cater for female match officials.
In addition to the nearly $1 million that will drastically improve gender equity at these key sporting fields, the NSW Government has directed a further $140,000 towards infrastructure to support Hunter Valley Steamfest.
Construction of a storage shed, viewing platform, and rail tracks at the Maitland Steamfest Rally Ground site will provide a permanent area for displaying and preserving steam and industrial heritage equipment.
Maitland mayor Philip Penfold said planned infrastructure upgrades are a win for women in sport in Maitland.
"Maitland is the state's fastest growing regional city, but the amenities at a number of our sports grounds don't reflect the population that now lives here, so it's great that this funding will help us address that," he said.
"For two of our busiest sporting precincts to be receiving such significant funding to improve gender equity is a win for the city, and I'm excited to see the knock on effects for women in sport.
"In addition to the sports funding, upgrades to the Steamfest Rally Ground site will be much welcomed by Maitland's rail and steam enthusiast communities and a big boost to one of the city's most loved events."
Council will begin preparations for these projects soon, with works on the Steamfest shed set to be delivered by late 2022. Cooks Square Park and Maitland Park will follow in mid 2023.
These projects are proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Stronger Country Communities Fund.
