Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones and Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown at the future Darkes Sporting and Community Hub site at Stream Hill. Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
West Dapto athletes can look forward to their own home ground, thanks to state and federal funds for a multi-million-dollar sports and community centre.
The site of the proposed Darkes Sporting and Community Hub at Stream Hill is a swathe of paddock right now, but in a few years’ time it could be home to multiple sports fields complete with dressing-room facilities for men and women, floodlighting, a playground and a neighbourhood centre.
Assistant Treasurer and State Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones said he was pleased construction will begin next year.
“This is a fantastic example of federal, state and local government working together in a growth area to deliver much-needed facilities,” he said.
“West Dapto is a growing area and I know how important it is for locals to have access to a high-quality sporting and community hub.”
Residents at Wongawilli, Horseley and Stream Hill currently have to travel to Dapto or Berkeley to access sports facilities, which are already in high demand.
That demand will only increase as development at West Dapto continues, with a projection of almost 20,000 additional homes to be built in the area.
“I know of a cricket side that has to travel between Helensburgh and Fred Finch Park because there’s no room for them anywhere else,” Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said.
“Our sports fields are already under pressure; this will add a whole new dimension, a facility people across the region will be able to use and give West Dapto residents access to premier facilities in their backyard.
“This is great news for our passionate community who love their sports.”
The site will be designed to be flexible, so as many sports as possible can be accommodated on the same pitch.
The new Stringer Road Reserve in North Kellyville is one inspiration for what the Darkes Sporting and Community Hub will eventually look like.
The multi-use field will be able to accommodate sports played on a round pitch, such as AFL and cricket, as well as a rectangular pitch, like rugby and soccer, and Oztag.
It’s anticipated there will also be some hardcourts with multi-line markings for basketball and netball games.
The Federal Government has provided a grant of about $9 million towards the project; the Minns Government has contributed $5 million.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said it was crucial to ensure high-development areas had access to community infrastructure.
“The growth of residents in and around West Dapto should be matched with the types of social and community infrastructure that help to create a thriving community,” he said.
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