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Construction is to commence this month on a new amenities building for Bill Ball Oval in Cook Park, St Marys, which will benefit Penrith Cricket Club and Penrith Junior Cricket Association.

The existing building will be replaced with a modern facility designed for a range of sports groups, including two change rooms designed to be inclusive for all users, a change room for officials, canteen, storage, an accessible toilet, and first aid and administration areas. An additional public toilet will also be constructed to service the adjacent playspace.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said the new amenities building will meet national and state sporting facility guidelines to better support the sports clubs, associations and schools who use the oval.

Mayor Hitchen notes “these groups will be able to operate more efficiently and be better supported to offer services such as the canteen. The new amenities building will also help facilitate participation among girls and women who were not catered for in the old structure.”

Cricket NSW Chief Executive Lee Germon advised “Cricket NSW is delighted, through the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund, to be able to contribute to this development in an area that has a wonderful cricket community.

“The fact that this facility is becoming more inclusive and is used at every community level of our game is very pleasing and can only inspire more people to play and love cricket.

“We are particularly pleased that the new change rooms and amenities will be unisex, improving the cricket experience for women and girls.”

The upgrade is being funded by Council in partnership with the NSW Government through the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund, Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW through the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund and the Penrith Cricket Club.

NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the project will help to increase participation opportunities and added “the NSW Government is committed to ensuring that grassroots cricketers benefit from Sydney hosting ICC T20 World Cup matches.

“This project is a great example of improving facilities to help increase participation opportunities, improve female player pathways and enable hosting of elite cricket events.”

Penrith Council has upgraded nine buildings over the past two years to meet national and state sporting facility guidelines, with a further nine to receive upgrades.

This project was identified through Council’s Sport and Recreation Strategy, which is a 15-year road map for the future provision of sport, play, recreation and open space across the City.

For more information visit penrith.city/spros

Image: (from left) Mick Wilson, Penrith Cricket Club; Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres MP; Andrew Lamb, Penrith Cricket Club; Penrith City Council Deputy Mayor John Thain; Lauren Coates, Cricket NSW; Member for Londonderry Prue Car MP.

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