Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba today celebrated with the community as the new sporting fields and amenities at Croom Regional Sporting Complex were showcased to local sports clubs.

The new facilities represent an approximate $15M contribution of state of the art facilities to support Shellharbour’s sporting community.

Shellharbour City Council directly contributed $125,000 to upgrade the irrigation and subsoil drainage system on the AFL/cricket field to make it more weather tolerant.

Council worked closely with RMS throughout the construction to ensure quality sports fields for the Shellharbour community. Members of the various sporting clubs are now playing an important role in activating and operating these facilities.

Today’s special community event was held in celebration of the new facilities built as part of reconfiguration work at the Croom Regional Sporting Complex making way for the Albion Park Rail bypass.

Representatives from Albion Park Rail Cricket Club, Albion Park Crows Junior AFL Club, Albion Park Oak Flats Junior Minor Rugby League Football Club, Shellharbour Netball Club, Shellharbour City Council, Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) staff were among those who attended.

Work to reconfigure the complex began in March 2018 and included:

•          New cricket/AFL field
•          New grass netball courts
•          Changes to the rugby league fields and horse recreational areas
•          Changes to the southern entrance to the sporting complex
•          New amenity buildings
•          Improvements to the car parks and the addition of new shared paths throughout complex

Among the facilities on show today were the specially named Brian Dunham Canteen and John Norwell Cricket Nets.

The event provided an opportunity to thank members of local sporting clubs for their patience during construction.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said that investment in the facilities demonstrated Council’s continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of the community, as well as helping nurture the city’s future sporting stars.

“The celebration marked the near-completion of the Croom Regional Sporting Complex. This is the first stage, and a great milestone in the Albion Park Rail bypass project,” Cr Saliba said.

“On behalf of Shellharbour City Council, I would like to thank Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) for their work on this important project, and for organising today’s community event.

“I want to particularly acknowledge and thank the various sporting clubs and user groups who were affected by relocations related to this project. These include AFL, cricket, rugby league, netball, hockey, horse riders, users of the stadium and staff.

“Their patience and cooperation is very much appreciated and their collaboration with Council and RMS has been fantastic.

“This reconfiguration work freed up land that will become part of the 9.8km Albion Park Rail bypass. Major work for the bypass is well underway and will provide safety and travel benefits for motorists travelling in our region.

“It was also wonderful to see the canteen and cricket nets complete with signage. The naming of the John Norwell Cricket Nets and Brian Dunham Canteen reflect how highly John and Brian are regarded by their clubs, Council and the wider community.

“I congratulate them both on this well-earned recognition of their contributions,” Cr Saliba said.

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