Grandstand languishes as funding falls through

The Woy Woy oval grandstand will not be redeveloped in the near future, wth the Peninsula losing out to Gosford in the latest round of Regional Development Australia funding.

The grandstand is expected to remain fenced off and empty for the foreseeable future.

The grandstand missed out on funding from round four of the Regional Development Australia Fund in favour of a $13 million redevelopment of Gosford Council's Marketplace building in Gosford.

To be named the Park Central Learning and Enterprise Centre, the building will house a new city library, a university presence, a business start-up incubator, NBN access for teleworkers and professional office suites.

The Woy Woy Oval Grandstand Redevelopment Project had a predicted project cost of $3.74 million with a requested contribution of $1.87 million each from Gosford Council and Regional Development Australia.

The grandstand was constructed in 1978 with limited corrosion protection.

Following an assessment on the ageing facility in October last year, a structural engineers report concluded 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."

Four options for the rectification or redevelopment of the grandstand were considered by Gosford Council at its meeting of July 24.

It was subsequently resolved to demolish the existing facility, develop a Site Masterplan and redevelop the grandstand and ancillary infrastructure.

Council had allocated a contribution of $1.87 million to the project.

Consultation with the sporting and community groups who used the grandstand wanted extra facilities as part of the redevelopment to "uphold its regional status".

Council staff reported that this would increase quality, functionality and accessibility as well as create opportunities to generate income to subsidise ongoing maintenance and operational costs.

Council funding would have allowed for a light weight structure that would service the playing fields.

A 3D concept model was prepared that focused on greater integration of the facility with the Woy Woy CBD to create more opportunities for public participation, with an anticipated cost of $3.74 million for the project.

Gosford Council Agenda COR.123, 4 Dec 2012