Young Kiama netballers Ivy and Archie Turano-Lyall are forced to play on cracked courts with crumbling facilities. Photos: Supplied.
The cracking courts and flooded fields of Kiama’s sporting facilities are costing families and embarrassing the community, but advocates hope the upcoming byelection could create a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for upgrades.
Inadequate drainage at Kiama’s Quarry Sportsfields causes games to be washed out week after week, with kids sidelined and unable to participate in sports at their home ground.
Kiama District Sports Association president Craig Scott said the ground was being consistently closed and had been closed for three of the last four weekends.
“It’s embarrassing. It’s gotten to the stage where we communicate to other clubs before matches because we know that there’s going to be an issue,” he said.
The constant cancellations pose more than just a reputational risk, with parents paying out for games their children never get to play.
“The parents become very frustrated because they’ve paid upfront and paid a registration fee to play a sport and effectively they’re losing anywhere between 25 to 40 per cent of that season because the venue is unplayable,” Craig said.
He said children were losing interest in activities which promoted positive physical, social and mental benefits.
“When this happens week after week they get incredibly disillusioned,” Craig said.
“When you’ve had a break for two to three weeks and then suddenly football is on, some of them are saying ‘well I haven’t been for so long, do I really need to go this time’ which is quite sad.”
Kiama Council Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters said basic amenities were simply not up to scratch.
“Fifty years ago I was playing sport up there and they have not changed,” Cr Matters said. “They are still the same change rooms, they are dilapidated, they are tiny, everything is crumbling.
“The netball courts have massive cracks in them, they’ve got a road running through the middle of it, it’s so outdated its actually embarrassing.”
Council already has received public feedback on three potential masterplans to revitalise the sports complex but there is currently no funding for work to begin.
“As part of our performance improvement order we have a financial responsibility and we need to be stronger on that,” Cr Matters said.
“Councils can’t afford funding for infrastructure, there’s just no way that we can build new fields or drainage, we need communication and regular discussion from state and federal governments.”
But advocates hope the 13 September byelection could instigate some action from the state.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us and we are going to go as hard as we can to get some support because essentially we’ve had nothing in 30 years except general upkeep and maintenance,” Craig said.
The Liberal Party and candidate Serena Copley have pledged $26 million for the first stage of upgrades under a NSW Liberal Government.
“From netball and basketball to football, cricket, athletics and Little A’s, the precinct supports thousands of players every week. This funding will make sure those facilities keep pace with demand and are safe, accessible and ready for the future,” Ms Copley said.
Cr Matters has called on the Labor Party and its candidate Katelin McInerney to match it.
Labor Minister Ryan Park would not make a commitment when pressed after the Liberal’s announcement.
“We’ll have a look at those plans, but we’ll be having a look at a range of different things,” he said.
“We’re focused on what I think are the key essentials for an electorate.”
However Ms McInerney didn’t rule it out further down the line.
“Council have not determined the final scope of that work yet and given this is taxpayer money I think the community expects Labor to wait for a final plan,” she said.
“But as someone who has spent a lot of time in dodgy playing sheds, I will be a very strong advocate for the funding needed.”
The Deputy Mayor wants a sit-down meeting with the Premier to outline council’s list of priorities, but the sporting association just wants to get the ball rolling.
“Obviously we’re not going to complete the whole plan but the thing is that there are aspects of these plans that can be completed in piecemeal fashion,” Craig said.
“We can improve the lighting, we can reseal the courts for the netballers, we can renew the amenities.
“All that can happen, it doesn’t have to happen at the same time, we can do it piece by piece.
“And that’s where getting funding of this nature is incredibly important because at this time we can’t do anything.”
