Upgrade for Austin Butler Oval

The Austin Butler Memorial Oval in Woy Woy is finally being upgraded.

The works are the result of more than 25 years of fundraising by the Woy Woy soccer club and $800,000 through Central Coast Council capital works funding.

In August, Council announced the funding had been allocated to upgrade the oval's carpark and to erect a new amenities building on the grounds.

Woy Woy Football Club president Mr Phil Butler said the upgrade had been a long time coming and would revolutionise the way the club operated.

"It's taken 25 years to get what we want, but the club is delighted to see the oval upgraded," Mr Butler said.

According to Mr Butler, the club had been fundraising for over two decades for a new clubhouse, a dream of his late father's Mr Austin Butler, after whom the grounds are named.

"Over the years we've watched rugby league receive the majority of government funding so it's great to finally see some investment in football on the Peninsula," Mr Butler said.

"This upgrade could not have come soon enough.

"We were operating out of an old decaying building which hasn't seen any major works since it was erected by the Whitlam Government.

"Now we will have our own clubhouse, a quality amenities block and a safer and larger carpark," he said.

Mr Butler said works got underway in late October and that the club and Council hoped to see the upgrade completed by March.

Mr Butler also praised the Council on adhering to long standing club and community members concerns with the upgrade.

Key features of the upgrade include the repositioning of the toilet block, 50 additional parking spaces and modern and secure spaces in the amenities block.

"The previous toilet block was positioned in a way that parents could not see kids entering/exiting the area so this change is most appreciated," Mr Butler said.

He said the extra parking spaces would also alleviate demand and frustration during busy periods.

"The extra spaces as well as the new carpark design benefits us and the neighbouring tennis club.

"Over the years parking and access to the tennis club has at times been a point of contention between tennis club and football club members but this should go a long ways towards fixing that," Mr Butler said.

"The new clubhouse and better facilities in the amenities block will also drastically improve the way our club committee can operate," Mr Butler continued.

"We're a big family club.

"We've got twice as many members as the local rugby league club, and with these new spaces we'll be able to improve everything from storage to coaching.

"We'll also finally have space of our own to put on club events and other small gatherings now, which is great," Mr Butler said.

The club will also be able to make changes to its coaching and training programs thanks to the upgrade.

"Now that we have a space where we can run training seminars that incorporates our projector and other technology.

"We'll be able to improve on a lot of our off-the-field training, coaching clinics and committee meetings," Mr Butler said.

The upgrade will allow the club to implement a new coaching academy program in the new year.

"With works well underway, we can't wait to start the 2019 season and it's the club's hope that this upgrade will attract new players to the sport.

"It's been a lot of hard work from the committee and we hope to see a lot of new faces at the oval come the new year," Mr Butler said.

SOURCE:

Interview, 13 Dec 2018

Phil Butler, Woy Woy Football Club

Reporter, Dilon Luke