Masterplan design involved community groups, claims mayor

Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna has claimed that the development of a new site masterplan for Woy Woy oval has been a "collaborative project" between the council and local community groups.

"We established a project committee to begin the process of designing a masterplan following the grandstand closure, incorporating community groups who will be regularly using the new site.

"The contribution they have each made to this project has been of the highest calibre and I would like to thank them for their participation and involvement in what shapes to be a significant development for the Woy Woy community," said mayor Cr McKinna.

Gosford Council general manager Mr Paul Anderson said that the masterplan aimed to provide the necessary infrastructure to allow Woy Woy to host regional sporting events.

"The facility will have an attendance capacity of 10,000 featuring a 600 seat grandstand, change rooms, kiosk, media box and club house.

"The masterplan also focuses on the integration of Woy Woy Oval with the CBD to create a vibrant and accessible community hub.

"We are also exploring options to transform the Oval Ave car park into a boulevard space to accommodate community gatherings, such as local markets and special events," said Mr Anderson.

Mayor Cr McKinna said that the project in its entirety would cost $8 to $9 million.

"The masterplan allows for the possibility of staged funding.

"This will mean that we can begin work on some elements of the project.

"In an ideal world this project would have a full allocation of funding to allow its full completion as soon as possible.

"The scope of works set out in the masterplan means we can't do it all on our own.

"Council has committed $1.75 million to this redevelopment.

"It is anticipated that this will cover stage one construction, expected to be completed in mid-2014.

"Support from all levels of government would see a timely completion to this project and allow local sporting groups to have the high class facility they deserve," said Cr McKinna

Pictured are Woy Woy Leagues Club general manager Mr Josh Collins, Woy Woy Rugby Union's Mr Stewart McGoldrick, NRL game development officer Mr John Jewiss , Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council staff member Ms Karen O'Mara, and CRL infrastructure and game development officer Mr Graham Boland at Woy Woy Oval.

Media release, 31 Jul 2013

Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council