Athletics focus for Orange Regional Sports precinct and parklands

If young athletes want to use modern facilities it currently means a trip to Dubbo or Sydney.

That will all change with the establishment of the Orange Regional Sports Precinct and Parklands at Sir Jack Brabham Park.

BRIGHT FUTURE FOR YOUNG ATHLETES: NSW Little Athletics Director Michael O’Mara, Orange City Council Sport & Recreation Committee chair Cr Jason Hamling, NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway and Orange Mayor Reg Kidd discuss the plans for the athletics centre.

The athletics centre is a key part of the $25 million project funded by the NSW Government.

NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway, Orange Mayor Reg Kidd, Orange City Council Sport & Recreation Committee chair Cr Jason Hamling and NSW Little Athletics Director Michael O’Mara met today to discuss the plan and provide an update on the latest progress on the project.

The athletics centre portion of the proposed project includes:

  • Synthetic running track
  • Discus/hammer throw cage
  • Marshalling areas
  • Shotput
  • Long jump
  • Canteen
  • Steeple chase inc water jump
  • High Jump runway
  • Photo finish rooms
  • Javelin runway
  • Pole Vault
  • Digital timekeeping capacity
  • Warm-up area
  • 500-seat stadium
  • Commentary box
  • Change rooms
  • Community space
  • Office space and storage

Mr Farraway said the proposed project was delivering a great facility for the region.

“The NSW Government is delivering on its $25 million commitment to provide Orange and the wider Central West region with a premier sporting facility able to host elite sports events as well as regional, state and national championships,” Mr Farraway said.


PREMIER FACILITY: Click image for a larger view.

“This is a vote of confidence in the regions. It’s about making sure we have the best facilities to deliver to healthy young Australians,” Mr Farraway said.

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said there was plenty of work still to do.

“There are still a number of important steps to go through to achieve the planning approval this project needs,” Cr Reg Kidd said.

“The community exhibition period for the latest DA has just closed and in due course the Heritage Council and the WRPP will be considering the project.”

“I can’t wait till we are back here in 2023 with young athletes testing their skills at a top of the line athletics centre,” Cr Kidd said.

Orange City Council Sport & Recreation Committee chair Cr Jason Hamling believes the new proposed new athletics track will deliver a major boost to local sport.

“Our local Little Athletics club has been making the best of things for many years with the facilities they have at the Waratahs complex,” Cr Jason Hamling said.

“But I know how excited they all are by the prospects of what can be done with a purpose-built field on this site alongside Huntley Road.”

ATHLETICS CENTRE: The athletics centre will be built as part of the Orange Regional Sports Precinct.

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