Local sporting teams will soon re-enter Smith Park in Hamilton North following an extensive multi-million-dollar upgrade.
Home to the Hamilton Azzurri Football Club, junior and senior cricket, and Newcastle Oztag, the site has served as a vital recreational space for residents.
But, to ensure the longevity of its use, a masterplan was developed in 2020, designed to guide the future vision and renewal of infrastructure over the next 10-15 years.
As outlined by City of Newcastle (CN) in the project’s Public Exhibition Report, they aim to “develop a flexible multi-use precinct to meet the recreation and sporting needs of the surrounding community, and enhance the visitor experience for players, officials and spectators”.
Now, councillors have unveiled the completion of stage one of the masterplan.
The playing surface has been significantly improved by the installation of new drainage and irrigation, the realignment of field used for cricket, football and Oztag, as well as the repositioning of three synthetic cricket wickets.
Sports Infrastructure Working Party chair Peta Winney-Baartz said council was committed to delivering spaces, which brought people together for active living and social connection.
“We’re proud to have worked closely with the community and sporting groups to improve this 56,000 sqm park,” the councillor explained.
“This project contained a significant scope of works.
“Drainage improvements include 13 new stormwater pits, more than 330 metres of stormwater lines and more than five kilometres of subsoil drainage lines.
“Irrigation upgrades feature a new pump station, two water tanks and more than 3.7 kilometres of irrigation lines with sprinklers for watering.”
Stage one of the masterplan was delivered by CN with support from a $2.56 million grant secured by the Newcastle Junior Cricket Association through the state government’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund.
“Upgrading green space in the city is crucial to supporting local communities and provides a safe place for people to gather and connect,” Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said.
“I look forward to seeing our local sporting talents benefiting from these fantastic upgrades.”
Newcastle Junior Cricket Association is also thankful to the NSW Government and CN.
“Smith Park will now provide a first-class hub for our junior cricketers and will support the growth of cricket into the future,” president Andrew Cornwell said.
“They’ll have access to quality grounds that will be more resilient to wet weather and drought.
“The project is a great example of what can be achieved when sporting codes work together with council.”
Future works also include improved field layouts, installation of lighting to meet Australian standards, a community/facilities building, upgrade of the existing carpark and replacement of current 90-degree parking on Parkside Avenue with parallel parking.
However, Smith Park isn’t the only popular reserve receiving an upgrade, with City of Newcastle also installing a new irrigation system at Wallsend Oval 1 and 2.
The improvements are being delivered in collaboration with Wallsend District Cricket Club, which successfully secured a grant from the federal government under the Investing in Our Communities Program.
The project also includes the installation of irrigation tanks and pump shed infrastructure, with the works likely to be completed in June.
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