The Botanical Gardens Sportsground in Forbes is one of the region’s most utilised sporting grounds. Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, Rick Colless last week presented a cheque of $135,264 that will go towards building Stage 2 of new amenities, including change rooms at the Botanic Gardens.
Announcing the grant, Rick said the Infrastructure grants provided funding for sport and recreation facilities such as these.
The new amenities and change rooms are marked to be built this year.
“This upgrade has been on Council’s radar or many years and it is wonderful for our town to be able to implement it,” said Forbes Mayor, Phyllis Miller OAM. “The grounds are used by over 5,000 people a year to attend sporting events held at these fields,” she continued.
Organised sport has been undertaken at the Forbes Botanical Gardens sports fields for over 100 years. It is a real focal point for the Forbes community and a true multipurpose community sporting facility.
The Botanical Gardens are home to the Forbes Touch Association, Forbes Junior Cricket, Forbes Little A’s and the Forbes & District Soccer Club. The fields are also utilised by Red Bend Catholic College and St Laurence’s Primary School for training and school carnivals.
The current amenities block has been in service since the 1970’s and the grounds do not have change room facilities at all.
The new building will include showers, change rooms and toilets. Most importantly, for the first time, facilities will be available to the elderly and disabled.
“We are proud to have Andrew Rawsthorne on our team at Forbes Shire Council as our Grants Officer,” said Phyllis. “He has the expertise to find the right funding opportunities and to match them to the right cause.”
The Forbes & District Soccer Club worked closely with Forbes Shire Council to secure a $146,236 grant from the 2015 Asian Cup Legacy Surplus Funds, along with $150,000 from Forbes Shire Council for Stage 1 of the project.
“Now that the project is fully funded we look forward to getting this amazing new facility up and running for the winter season of sport activities planned,” said Phyllis.