Grandstand to be redeveloped

The Woy Woy Oval Grandstand will be redeveloped after consultation with the local community.

Gosford Council aims to complete the project by April 2014, in time for the winter sports season.

"Woy Woy Oval is an important piece of community infrastructure that needs to be replaced with a new modern facility," said Cr Craig Doyle.

Cr Doyle said that the Peninsula community deserved to have the grandstand replaced after structural defects were found earlier this year.

"Local sports clubs rely on this facility so it is important that we get the ball rolling."

Cr Jim Macfadyen said: "Replacing this facility is one thing but giving the Peninsula community a say on how it is redeveloped is even more important.

"I'm sure this decision will be welcomed by local sports clubs including the Woy Woy Rugby League Club and Woy Woy Rugby Union Club."

Two structural engineers were commissioned after Council officers found the grandstand to be significantly degraded in October last year.

The detailed engineers' assessment identified that "the grandstand is experiencing on-going deterioration and structural distress in various areas".

"While some of the concrete spalling may be considered as a minor structural problem, the significant corrosion evident throughout the steel members and roof structure appears to be severe."

As a result of the assessment, Council officers closed the second storey of the grandstand and the front entry to the facility due to potential high risk of failure of the building.

Woy Woy Oval Grandstand was constructed in its current form in 1978 as part of a major redevelopment of the oval.

The technology for corrosion protection in the construction industry at the time was limited in comparison to current technologies, the council was told.

Gosford Council Agenda CIT.28, 24 Jul 2012

Media Release, 30 Jul 2012

Jim Macfadyen, Gosford Council