All systems go for Mid North Coast High Performance Centre
Published on 15 June 2021
Community members and key stakeholders joined state and local government representatives on Tuesday to celebrate construction beginning on a facility that will revolutionise sport in South West Rocks.
The $5 million project will develop local sporting demands, providing the opportunity for high performance, junior pathways and larger events within the region.
Kempsey Shire Council Mayor, Liz Campbell said the development of the Mid North Coast High Performance Centre is critical to guaranteeing the growth of community sport and recreation.
“The centre will include 662-seat grandstand including wheelchair spaces, change rooms, accessible amenities, flexible community sport and recreation areas, and provide a purpose-built facility to enable our community to host sporting events of a large scale,” said Mayor Campbell.
Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the Mid North Coast High Performance Centre is an example of the NSW Government’s commitment to improving the quality and quantity of sports venues in regional NSW.
“High quality sports facility like the Mid North Coast High Performance Centre encourage participation and improve performance at all levels,” Mrs Ward said.
“They also enable regional communities to host regional, state, national and international events which attract visitors and encourage spending in regional communities.”
Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey said the centre will be a key community asset for the Shire, allowing the regions sporting endeavours to grow.
“South West Rocks has a strong and vibrant sporting culture, and this new state-of-the-art complex will fill a gap in high performance infrastructure and capabilities for athletes, coaches and officials across a range of sports in the Mid North Coast region," Ms Pavey said.
“Today is a very exciting day and I congratulate the local community, Kempsey Shire Council and all those who worked on the project to bring it from a vision to this reality.”
The facility is a direct result of the Macleay Valley Sporting Strategy and its recommendation to encourage growth in sporting and recreation in South West Rocks.
Funding for the Mid North Coast High Performance Centre was secured by Kempsey Shire Council and the South West Rocks Sport and Recreation Committee, receiving $2,465,268 from the 2018 Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund, $400,000 from South West Rocks Country Club, $1.1 million from Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and a further $1,190,000 contributed by Kempsey Shire Council.