RUGBY UNION
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AN AMBITIOUS push from Wagga's rugby union fraternity could land the city a new first-choice playing field within the next few years.
Construction is about to begin on a fourth field at Connolly Rugby Complex, which Southern Inland Rugby Union (SIRU) manager Mick McTaggart hopes can become the premier ground.
The complex already houses two full-size fields and a third, smaller field on the block of land off Bourke Street.
Wagga City Council committed $200,000 to the project earlier this year and the state government last week announced a $17,500 grant under the Community Building Partnership (CBP) program.
The state grant will be put towards perimeter fencing.
All up, the project is estimated to cost about $580,000 but McTaggart is confident that figure can be reduced by volunteer labour and the assistance of clubs, namely Waratahs and Wagga City.
"We're not a bottomless pit so we hope the clubs can contribute in terms of money," McTaggart said.
"With these sorts of projects you can also find someone within the organisation who might know an electrician, who knows a plumber, who knows a builder etcetera.
"We're hoping to match the $200,000 from council with other grants and voluntary labour."
The construction of the playing surface will begin early in the New Year and should be completed by 2015.
The use of the other three grounds will not be impacted during the construction.
Once the field is completed, McTaggart has a vision to build a carpark, player sheds and eventually a clubhouse.
"Obviously you need to build the field before worrying about anything else," he said.
"But stage two would probably be sheds, stage three would be a clubhouse or grandstand.
"We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves but once it's all finished it could look absolutely fantastic.
"Clubs have been calling for more space at Connolly for a while now and we're definitely heading in the right direction."
McTaggart believes other sports will benefit from the upgrades, including touch football which is currently confined to the neighbouring Jubilee Park.