Football Wagga’s ongoing appeal for increased support in developing infrastructure has made headway after a lengthy consultation with Wagga City Council staff produced the promise of a Rawlings Park masterplan.
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In what has been described as a “very positive meeting” by Football Wagga (FWW) spokesperson Tim Barter, Wagga City Council (WWCC) met with soccer’s governing body and resolved to commit staff and resources in a bid to develop a detailed blueprint for the slated $9 million development.
“(We) met with WWCC staff to discuss the critical shortfall of fields and amenities for our regional competition and club training,” Barter said.
“After a three-hour discussion, council staff agreed to assess every avenue possible to free up fields for both.”
“FWW also discussed the importance of creating a regional football complex at Rawlings Park to help serve the future of soccer in this region.
“Our plans include $4 million for a synthetic pitch stadium, of which WWCC has already committed $700,000 (and) a further $5 million is required for lighting and infrastructure upgrades to the six fields currently being used.”
Barter said WWCC had agreed to schedule further meetings to assist in the demands required by the soccer community.
WWCC strategic asset planner Ben Creighton told The Daily Advertiser the Rawlings Park master plan would be developed using in-house resources from council’s city strategy division.
“Council staff during the discussions agreed to continue the assistance previously provided to FWW in strategically planning for facility requirements in the future,” Creighton said.
“As an initial step, staff (with the assistance of FWW and other key user groups in consultation with residents) will develop a master plan for the Rawlings Park sporting precinct.
“This draft master plan would then be presented to WWCC for consideration prior to going on public exhibition.”
It doesn’t end there for FWW with Barter pressing his case for more grassroots development and support – and he’s willing to put in the financial legwork.
“(FWW) highlighted the need to relocate the Mini Roos competition to a larger complex as we have all but outgrown Duke of Kent Oval.”
(We) also gave a commitment ... to raise $500,000 over the next two years to assist in gaining grants from our state government.
“It is imperative that our association show it’s ability to become a joint partner in creating this complex (and) through the support of ... our regional clubs, we will raise funds through a membership drive for our new future stadium.”
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