$3 million upgrade to Townsville sports park kicks off
Date published: 24 June 2016
Construction on the much anticipated facility upgrades and additions to Peggy Banfield Park in Townsville’s northern beaches kicked off today.
Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said the Palaszczuk Government had contributed $1.5 million with a further $1.5 million from Townsville City Council towards the project through the Get Playing Plus program.
“Completion of these facilities will be a welcome addition to the park, particularly for the two local rugby league clubs that call Peggy Banfield Park home—Norths Rugby League and North Thuringowa Rugby League,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
“This project will see the upgrade of two full sized rugby league fields to meet Queensland Rugby League standards for club competition, as well as four new grassed netball courts.
“Once the project is completed, the park will also include two new dog off-leash areas, play spaces for kids and teenagers, two double table shelters, one electric BBQ, an internal path and gravelled road network, and new vehicle access via Lionel Turner Drive.
“These new facilities will improve the park’s functionality, accessibility and safety, and hopefully attract more community members to get involved in sport and active recreation.
“They will also create work for local tradespeople and suppliers during construction.”
Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said the redevelopment would support a greater level of community participation in sport and recreational activities in the northern beaches.
“Council’s partnership on this project with the State Government and the start of construction is a big step towards transforming 14.7ha of parkland into a multi-use community parkland for residents living in the fastest growing area of the city,” Cr Hill said.
“The final master plan for the park redevelopment included input from local residents and I know they will be delighted that work is now underway.
“Stage 1 will deliver improvements that encourage a broad range of activities over a large area of the park land. Council will progress with further stages of the redevelopment as funding becomes available.”
Funding for the facilities has been provided through Get Playing Plus, one of four programs which form the Get in the Game initiative to support grassroots sport and recreation.
Get in the Game provides clubs with better resources, equipment and facilities as well as giving children who might not otherwise be able to afford it, the opportunity to play sport.
Applications for Round 5 Get Playing Places and Spaces and Get Going Clubs will open on 1 July 2016. Applications for Round 8 Get Started Vouchers will open on 13 July 2016.
For more information on Get in the Game, visit www.npsr.qld.gov.au
