Shellharbour City Council is investing $1.6 million in infrastructure at two sportsgrounds used by cricket clubs in Oak Flats and Lake Illawarra.

Council has committed to renewing amenities buildings at Geoff Shaw Oval and Howard Fowles Oval, with works estimated to cost $800,000 per ground.

The project received a boost today when Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres joined Cricket NSW Chief Executive Officer Andrew Jones, Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba and local cricket teams to announce an additional $150,000 in facilities funding from the NSW International Cricket Council (ICC) World T20 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund.

The improvements will include home-and-away team change rooms and wash facilities, male, female and accessible toilets, meeting room, canteen, umpires room, groundskeeper store and additional storage for the user groups.

User groups of both ovals maintain the grass wickets to a high standard and with the addition of the new and improved amenities buildings, the grounds are expected to be able to host male and female premier level cricket matches as well as continue to host local first grade cricket.

To assist with the funding of the proposed projects Council applied for the NSW ICC World T20 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund. This fund was established to inspire the next generation of cricketers by improving the quality and quantity of community facilities and will help attract world class cricket matches across NSW.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said the local cricket community would benefit greatly from the funding.

“I’m very pleased our application was successful. Council is committed to getting the best outcomes for our community and we appreciate the State Government’s recognition of our local cricket clubs,” Cr Saliba said.

“This funding will help Council deliver sporting facilities that promote the health and wellbeing of our residents and help nurture future generations of cricketers.”

Cricket NSW Chief Executive Officer Andrew Jones said the NSW ICC World T20 Cricket Legacy Fund would deliver significant benefits for local clubs and councils, helping maximise expected growth in participation resulting from hosting the tournament in Australia.

“With more girls and boys, women and men, of all ages playing cricket across NSW than ever, the fund will both support the growth of the sport in local communities and leave a lifelong legacy for one of the biggest sporting events this decade,” Mr Jones said.

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008.