Peggy Banfield Park to officially open on Saturday after $3.1m upgrade
Date published: 28 September 2018
Stage 2 of Peggy Banfield Park is now complete and Townsville City Council is inviting residents to celebrate with a free community fun day.
The $3.1million project – which received $1.5 million in funding from the Queensland Government – includes new football fields, tennis and netball courts, fitness equipment, shade and an inclusive playground.
The official opening will be held on Saturday with special guest appearances from Townsville Fire champion Suzy Batkovic, Zumba demonstrations, Ranger Dan and a free sausage sizzle.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the upgraded Peggy Banfield Park was a big win for Northern Beaches residents – particularly young families.
“My team of Councillors are totally committed to providing first-class community infrastructure right across the community,” Cr Hill said.
“That’s why Council is investing so heavily in parks and open spaces right throughout Townsville.
“The $3.1 million upgrade of Peggy Banfield Park is another great example of Council’s commitment to delivering top-quality community infrastructure throughout the city and suburbs.”
State Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the park upgrade delivered on the Queensland Government’s commitment to ensuring more Townsville kids and their families could get involved in sports and active recreation.
“Sport is a powerful force within the Townsville community – it helps us get fitter and healthier, it gets kids especially involved in positive, constructive activities, and importantly it brings people together,” Mr Harper said.
“I think Peggy Banfield would be so proud to see this park bear her name. She spent so much of her life working to build community in Thuringowa, and she especially looked out for kids who didn’t have the same opportunities as others.”
Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Mark Molachino said the park upgrade has supported over 70 local jobs.
“It’s great that by providing our kids with state-of-the-art equipment is also benefiting our local economy by providing more than 70 jobs for our community,” Cr Molachino said.
“Building infrastructure projects right across our suburbs is a big focus of Council and that is why we are spending over $40 million on parks and open spaces this financial year.”
The Queensland Government’s Small Grants Program has contributed $10,000 to the event.
The free community day will run from 9am-12 noon this Saturday at Peggy Banfield Park (Cnr Mount Low Parkway and Lionel Turner Drive, Bushland Beach).
Visit What's On Townsville for more information about this event.
