For many a season, Upper Hunter sport-lovers have dreamt of witnessing big-ticket events in their own backyard.
Time and time again, they’ve watched NRL trials and major carnivals take place in neighbouring Maitland or Tamworth.
But, that could soon all change with Muswellbrook Shire Council accepting a tender for the $10 million redevelopment of Olympic Park.
The acceptance of the construction bid follows a competitive process and is a milestone in council’s long-term strategy to upgrade the Wilkinson Avenue venue into a modern regional hub for sports.
Refurbishing and extending the existing grandstand, with state-of-the-art spectator seating, multiple universal change rooms, toilets and player amenities, media and coaches’ boxes and function spaces are among the proposed works.
The highly-anticipated venture will also target event hosting capability to meet regional site guidelines, while the full redevelopment includes irrigation works, upgrades to the playing surface and further precinct landscaping, too.
Following the tender process, the next steps comprise finalisation of the design, preconstruction demolition works and the start of construction.
Already one of Muswellbrook’s most heavily-used facilities, Olympic Park currently stages rugby league, touch football, school sport and community events throughout the year.
It’s also home to the Rams, who contest the Group 21 competition.
Muswellbrook Shire mayor Jeff Drayton said the award of the tender was the culmination of years of work by council.
“Olympic Park holds great memories for a lot of people in Muswellbrook,” he explained.
“We know that increasing demand, ageing amenities and increasing standards for venues mean we need to upgrade this precinct for our community.
“It’s already been a process council has undertaken with our local clubs, user groups and Muswellbrook residents.
“The early works have got us strong foundations for the precinct, with new parking, pedestrian lighting, better access and pathways, and upgrades to power.
“With those in place and the tender accepted, now we look forward to this emerging as a top-class regional facility.”
Demolition works at Olympic Park, following design finalisation and certification, are expected to start mid-year, with works staged where possible to minimise disruption to existing users, residents and the community.
For more sports stories:
- Junior rugby league is back… and so is the dream
- Knights ‘open’ to explore more overseas trips as NRL looks at global expansion
- Maitland netball legend named Local Woman of the Year
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