The newly upgraded Brighton Memorial Playing Fields were handed back to Bayside Council on Friday 1 October following a multi-million dollar makeover as part of the M6 Stage 1 project.
“We look forward to showcasing and celebrating the transformation with the local community as soon as the Health Orders allow,” newly elected Bayside Mayor Cr Bill Saravinovski said.
“But for now, we are happy that the fields have been upgraded and will be ready for the community to use and enjoy when we are finally out of lock down.”
The Brighton Memorial Playing Fields have been closed to the public for almost 15 months while the works were carried out as part of the State Government’s Transport for NSW $2.6 billion M6 Stage 1 project.
The works were undertaken, and fully funded, as part of the M6 Stage 1 project that will connect President Avenue in Kogarah with the M8 motorway at Arncliffe via a four km tunnel.
The over-arching theme of the work carried out continues to pay tribute to Australia’s Armed Forces in line with the original naming of the Memorial Fields, including a commemorative walk, special plantings and design features such as the poppy etched into pathways.
The makeover also includes:
- An upgrade to the full-size synthetic field
- New mid-sized grass playing field
- A new playground area
- A new memorial garden
- A new amenity building including change rooms, canteen and toilets
- Upgraded car-parking with increased capacity
- As well as new fencing, lighting upgrades and landscaping
“It would have taken Council years to be able to fund, or access grants, to upgrade and construct new sporting and recreational facilities of this magnitude,” Mayor Cr Saravinovski said.
“I must also thank the Member for Rockdale, Mr Steve Kamper, for without his support and hard work over the past few years, we would not have achieved such a great outcome for our residents.
“The combination of passive and active recreation will be enjoyed by both Bayside residents and visitors,” he said.
Bayside Council has welcomed the new facilities and upgrades to the recreational and open spaces.
Transport for NSW is also funding the upgrades at Ador Park (the former Rockdale Bowling Club) and McCarthy Reserve.
These works will include more sporting fields, a new skate park as well BBQ and recreational facilities and are scheduled to be completed and reopened by the end of the year, before the tunnel works requires the complete closure of Bicentennial Park.
Transport for NSW have released a video to “virtually open” the new facilities which can be viewed at https://caportal.com.au/rms/m6/crf
