A new era for athletics in Singleton recently took a giant leap with work officially underway on a long jump track and pit at Cook Park.
Funded by Singleton Sports Council’s dollar-for-dollar infrastructure grant, Singleton Track and Field Club and a $50,000 donation through Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics program, athletes are expected to be using the facility this coming season.
Council’s director infrastructure and planning Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr said the works formed stage one of the club’s masterplan for the track and field amenities, positioning Cook Park as the preeminent athletics sporting location in the Upper Hunter.
“We are really excited to partner with the Singleton Track and Field Club to start delivering on our mutual vision for this complex,” he stated.
“The $122,000 long jump project includes a three-lane, 60 metre track and nine-metre pit, meeting International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) standards, plus a new storage facility.
“Singleton’s Rose Point and Cook parks are unique in that they play host to so many sports including netball, AFL, cricket and junior rugby league, connected by the award-winning Rose Point Park all abilities playground.
“So, the addition of athletics facilities will further cement this precinct as a mecca for recreation.
“That being said, we are playing the long game when it comes to the new athletics centre.
“With a strategic vision and masterplan now in place and fantastic grant funding opportunities available to us, this will become a multi-million dollar facility to help develop future athletes not only in Singleton, but the wider Hunter region and beyond.”
Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said Singleton Track and Field Club’s move to Cook Park would also correspond with the redevelopment of its current home, Alroy Oval.
Endorsed by council earlier this year, the masterplan for Alroy Oval outlines a range of upgrades including three full-sized football pitches with warm-up area, a multiuse futsal/basketball/netball court, upgraded amenities building and car park, playground, shelters and footpaths.
“Council has made a considerable investment in recreation facilities in the past few years,” he said.
“We’re excited to continue to deliver state-of-the-art infrastructure to help support the physical and social benefits of organised sport and recreation, encourage high level competitions and events to come to Singleton, and develop future sporting stars.”
To view the Cook Park, Rose Point Park and Alroy Oval masterplans, visit https://www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/326/Publications-Plans-and-Strategies
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
For more news stories:
