Wagga’s rugby union community is set for a welcome boost after the NSW state government pledged $295,000 in grant funding towards a fourth ground and facility upgrades at Conolly Rugby Complex.
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Home to Wagga City and Wagga Waratahs, Conolly Rugby Complex has played host to decades of Southern Inland, sevens and touch football action.
Now, the venue is in line to receive a major face lift including, but not limited, to new field lighting and state-of-the-art drainage systems.
It’s a welcome announcement for Southern Inland Rugby Union president and Waratahs stalwart Warwick Grant, who hopes the funding will prompt a revamp of the entire complex.
“It’s pretty exciting and getting all this funding means we can finish up with the top oval and hopefully start planning for a new clubhouse as well,” Grant said.
“We’ve started laser levelling already and we’re just about to get the turf laid out there – we think that will be going on in the next few weeks.
”We’ve got sand ready to go on top as well, so things are looking pretty good.”
Grant said a clubhouse redevelopment would be a key factor in attracting Super Rugby and other draw card events to the complex.
“That’s what you need to look at when you want to get those bigger teams to the region – it’s not about fields or whatever – they want good facilities and good change rooms.
“We’ll be sharing the clubhouse too, if it happens, Waratahs and City – we’re not going to split them up.”
The facility is owned by Wagga City Council, who have also contributed $28,000 towards the project.
“We’ve got a pretty good working relationship with council now,” Grant said.
“There’s lots to get through of course … and plenty of reports but it’s been good so far, especially now that we’ve got the funding.”
Minister for Racing Paul Toole, who was at hand to announce the funding on Wednesday, welcomed the project.
“At the end of the day, we are seeing the sport of rugby growing in this area,” Toole said.
“There are young people (and) there are senior teams, and it will allow (Southern Inland) the opportunity to host local, state and national competitions into the future.”
In an accompanying statement, Toole said the project was being funded through the Clubgrants Category Three Infrastructure Grants Program.
These grants are funded by a contribution from the state’s registered clubs to reinvest profits from gaming machines back into community projects.
This latest rugby news follows the dual selection of Harriet Elleman (Ag College) and Biola Dawa (CSU Reddies) in the Brumbies Super W squad.
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