Work is almost complete on more than $1.5 million worth of improvements to one of Eurobodalla’s busiest sports precincts, Broulee’s Captain Oldrey Park.
Over the past three years Eurobodalla Council has expanded and upgraded the park’s netball facilities, revamped the amenities building, resurfaced the soccer field and added new equipment to the playground.
A nature trail through the Bangalay Sand Forest on the park’s perimeter will soon complete the works. The trail is being developed in collaboration with Broulee Mossy Point Dunecare and Broulee Public School and should be complete by the end of the year.
Captain Oldrey serves as Eurobodalla’s main netball facility, with up to 47 teams playing there each weekend in winter. It is centrally located and close to Broulee Public School, St Peter’s Anglican College, and Carroll College.
Eurobodalla Netball Association players have been enjoying the eight new acrylic netball courts that replaced six old bitumen courts earlier this year.
Two of the new courts are suitable for both netball and basketball and new lighting is set to make the facility capable of attracting regional competitions.
While there are some teething issues with water retention on the new courts, Eurobodalla Netball Association secretary Michelle Robinson said the upgrade had been generally well received.
“The new courts are much nicer to play on, and when you fall there’s far less grazing,” she said.
Mrs Robinson said the association was keen to attract more junior players to the sport, including to their Net Set Go Skills program for five- to seven-year-olds.
Meanwhile, there are two more change rooms, new accessible public toilets, improved sheltered spectator viewing areas and upgraded equipment in the canteen.
Council’s recreation services manager Nathan Farnell said Captain Oldrey was more than a sporting hub – it was a place the whole community enjoyed.
He said all the improvements were identified in Council’s Captain Oldrey Park Masterplan, which was developed in collaboration with the community.
“The masterplan was instrumental in helping us secure over $1 million in federal and state government grants for these improvements,” he said.
“It’s a great outcome and shows what can be achieved when we work together.”
