And this means tens of millions of dollars for business flowing into our region Sport is “big business” on the coast because sports attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Most impressive of all the new projects is the 18ha Tuggerah Sports Complex in Lake Road.
The project was made possible by a $10 million grant from the Federal Government through its National Stronger Regions Fund and $13.71 million committed by Central Coast Council.
Construction started recently and the complex is expected to be operational in spring 2018.
It all began in 2014, when Council acquired the section of Central Coast Wetlands land (previously known as Pioneer Dairy), from the State Government for the development of the regional sporting and recreation complex. The complex has been designed to be built in two stages.
Stage 1 consists of nine playing fields, including a premier field, public amenities such as change rooms, canteen, public toilets and store rooms. There will also be public car and bus parking and a shared path within the site.
The final stage will see the development of a multipurpose indoor complex and grandstand. This stage is not yet funded and Council will be seeking grants from both the State and Federal Governments to support the project.
The complex has great potential as a community and business venue and will not just be limited to organized sporting events.
It will also allow for other recreational activities or social and leisure events such as markets, expos and festivals.
Just a short walk from Tuggerah Station, the complex would be ideal for an outdoor music event or an expo type promotion.
Meanwhile, in other sports development news, more than $1million will be spent on sports projects at Mingara Recreational Club.
This includes a much needed covered grandstand at the Regional Athletic Centre and an upgrade to the change room facilities at the Aquatic Centre.
These two facilities play a major role in the development of sportspeople on the coast. They are constantly being used by the respective sports and schools for major championship events.
The athletic field offers the latest in track design and construction while the Aquatic centre offers an indoor 50m pool right up to Olympic standard.
Upgrades are also underway at Pluim Park soccer facility and the world class Wyong hockey complex.
Add to this the massive development at the Mariners complex in Tuggerah, plus sports medical facilities and you have an industry worth many millions of dollars to business on the Central Coast.
