The first sod has been turned, marking the official start to a multimillion-dollar revitalisation of Moree’s home of sport – Ron Harborne Oval.
Stage one of the redevelopment will include a new clubhouse for multiple sports, a parenting room, accessible toilets, new kitchen and canteen and storage facilities.
The project has been years in the making and has been made possible through funding from previous state and federal governments.
Moree Plains Shire Council officials were joined by state Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall and sporting group representatives to mark the milestone.
Mr Marshall said Moree Plains Shire Council had developed an impressive masterplan for the total upgrade of the Ron Harborne Oval precinct, to support the continuation and growth of junior and senior sports, including, cricket, soccer, netball and athletics.
“Ron Harborne Oval is the main sporting precinct in Moree and the home of netball, soccer, hockey, athletics, cricket, and junior rugby union’s annual gala day,” he said.
“This is such an exciting project and I commend council on its foresight and desire to develop this important asset for multiple sporting groups.
“The revitalisation will be crucial to boost community morale and assist in the attraction and retention of the local workforce and general population.”
Mr Marshall said further improvements would include new carparks with accessible pathways linking to the clubhouse facility.
“The main component of the upgrade is the construction of the new netball courts using flood mitigation strategies close to the main amenities,” he said.
“The netball courts received significant damage due to flood events in the past, rendering them unsafe.
“Council have now implemented flood mitigation strategies to construct the new courts, with LED lighting, on a raised pad close to the main cricket oval, ensuring the facilities will be above flood levels.”
Deputy mayor Susannah Pearse reflected on the sporting precinct’s namesake, Ron Harborne.
“Ron was a keen sportsman who served as a councillor for Moree Plains from 1981 to 1986 and had a renowned sense of civic pride,” Cr Pearse said.
“Ron Harborne Oval is not just an oval but a place where our community comes together, and for visitors to sporting carnivals, it provides their first glimpse into what life on the Moree Plains has to offer.
“These upgrades to the precinct will enable us to put our best foot forward, supporting our budding young sportspeople, creating a regional facility we can all be proud of, and paying suitable respect to the man whom it is named after.”
Works on stage one of the Ron Harborne Oval redevelopment should be completed this calendar year.
Stage one works include the construction of six new courts, comprising of four netball courts and two multi-purpose courts, seeing the current netball courts relocated. Council has worked with Transport of NSW to repurpose old bitumen from the current Newell Highway upgrades.
This material will be used to compact the foundation and build up the ground underneath the courts.
A welcoming space to the sports precinct will be a new clubhouse. This will be built on to the existing toilet and changeroom.
For the first time the precinct will be able to offer change rooms for both males and females.
A great addition to the precinct will be the completion of the line marking of a 400m athletics track, something Moree has never had.
“We’ve heard loud and clear that parking and drainage are major issues, especially on regional carnival days, often making access to the grounds a muddy and wet pursuit,” Cr Pearse said.
“As such, stage one works include a raft of drainage improvements, culverts and the addition of new, sealed parking which
will run parallel with Gwydir Street.”
