Council completes sporting works program

Central Coast Council has announced completion of its $1.9 million works program for sporting facilities around Woy Woy.

Mayor Cr Jane Smith said the works encompassed Austin Butler Oval, Woy Woy Tennis Courts and an 80-space carpark to service both facilities.

"We know how much our community value quality sporting facilities and this upgrade will provide enhanced services to the growing Peninsula community.

"The community voted for this project and demonstrates how Council is listening to and working with the community to deliver the facilities they want and value," she said.

The works included a new 250 square metre building at Austin Butler Oval replacing outdated facilities.

It features include two change rooms, amenities including accessible and ambulant toilets, canteen and store, equipment room, referees' room, club room, water refill station and outdoor forecourt area.

The clubhouse at the tennis courts now has accessible unisex and ambulant toilets, extended spaces with renovated meeting room, kitchenette, office space and storerooms, plus a new undercover outdoor area.

A contribution of $15,000 came from Tennis Australia.

Woy Woy Football Club, the primary user of Austin Butler Oval, is currently finalising an $80,000 contribution towards the oval's new facilities.

Cr Smith said these latest upgrades build on Council's $310,000 works undertaken last year at Austin Butler Oval to upgrade irrigation, drainage and floodlighting which has increased functionality, longevity, playability, and safety of the playing surface.

Woy Woy Football Club secretary Mrs Dawn Butler said club members were thrilled with their new facilities and were now preparing for their major fundraiser which took place on August 17.

"We're very happy with our new facilities and will update the community about how our fundraiser went when we have the final figure," Ms Butler said.

Woy Woy Tennis Club president Mr Tony Carey said the works at the tennis courts went a long way to preserving the tennis club's identity but members did have questions as to why certain works were not completed as part of the redevelopment.

Mr Carey said the tennis court's 70-year-old fencing had not been replaced as part of the works despite being in desperate need of a major overhaul.

He said club members were also asking why Council opted to upgrade only two of the court's three player huts, with the non-upgraded hut now an eyesore compared to the others.

Mr Carey said he's currently negotiating with Council to address these issues.

"Overall we're satisfied with the redevelopment.

"We got what we wanted and Council has been notified about our concerns regarding the fencing and hut which were overlooked," Mr Carey said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 5 Aug 2019

Jane Smith, Central Coast Council

Interviews (Dilon Luke), 13-15 Aug 2019

Tony Carey, Woy Woy Tennis Club

Dawn Butler, Woy Woy Football Club