Council has secured $1.469 million through the Hunter Infrastructure and investment Fund (HIIF) towards Stage 1 of the White Park Recreation and Equine Facility Development.
Mayor Wayne Bedggood welcomed the announcement.
“The improved White Park facility will provide the Upper Hunter’s first all-weather outdoor sports facility and increase its use for a range of events,” Cr Bedggood said.
“It is expected to generate several thousand new visitors to the region, providing a major boost to the local visitor economy. Staging of extra sporting events are expected to generate new revenue for the facility and an increase of around 15,000 visitor nights or $2.6 million of additional tourist spend a year for the region.
“I would like to thank the White Park Management and Development Committee and all the user groups who have shown support for this project over the many years that we have worked to make this redevelopment happen.
“A master plan for the White Park facility was developed following significant consultation by Council with user groups, discussions with manufacturers, design engineers and visiting similar sites such as Dubbo, Armidale and Tamworth.”
Stage 1 of the development has an estimated total cost of $1.969 million, so the balance will be from Council funds and user group contributions.
Stage 1 of the White Park project includes: new arena surface and drainage; 90m x 60m roof; mobile terraced seating; water tanks and landscape irrigation; and lighting under the roof.
Construction is expected to commence around February 2017 and be completed in August 2017.
Many organisations have flagged new events for White Park when the development is completed including:
The new White Park facility will build on the Upper Hunter Shire’s standing as the Horse Capital of Australia, and the rich historic connection with horses.
Upper Hunter Shire Council
Phone: 02 6540 1100
Fax: 02 6545 2671
council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
Upper Hunter Shire Council is a local government authority and provides an extensive array of services including health and building; town planning; aged care; sporting and recreational facilities; roads; libraries; waste collection; airport facilities; saleyards; public venues; water; children, youth and families and tourist information.
Upper Hunter Shire is located in the Hunter Region of NSW, approximately 250km north of Sydney. The Shire is predominantly rural and encompasses 8,100km2.
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PO Box 208
Scone NSW 2337
Phone: 02 6540 1100
Fax: 02 6545 2671
council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
135 Liverpool Street, Scone
34-40 Vennacher Street, Merriwa
47 Mayne Street, Murrurundi
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Phone: 02 6540 1199
Ngayan marrungku paran wiyan Wanarruwa, mirumalikan para ani parraykupa, ngatan ngayan marrung wiyan Ngarrakay paranpa yurakaykal ngatan pangaykal.
We acknowledge the Wonnarua people, traditional keepers of this land, and we pay respects to their Elders, past and present.
Translation by Aunty Sharon Edgar-Jones.