An amenities upgrade for Dukes Oval in Emu Plains could be on the cards, as part of a $500,000 promise by Labor.
The announcement comes as the second sporting commitment within the week for Labor Candidate for Lindsay, Diane Beamer.
As a mother, Ms Beamer said sport is a high priority of hers coming into the Federal Election and said the funding will ensure the infrastructure can keep up with growing participation.
“This oval has been here for a long time, it’s a fabulous facility here in Penrith and what we want to make sure of is that it continues to live up to that in the future,” she said.
“I’m really pleased that this money is being spent on a worthy cause here in Emu Plains.”
The funding will go towards the refurbishment of the existing amenity building, viewing facility, storage, cricket nets and floodlighting for junior and senior cricketers.
With a growing rate in female cricket participation, Ms Beamer said ensuring the oval has adequate female changing facilities is vital in driving participation into the future.
“Labor will continue to create more opportunities for women and girls to enjoy and succeed in sport,” she said.
Shadow Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said Labor is committed to providing community facility upgrades that western Sydney needs.
“This funding will go a long way to ensure the facilities that local residents expect are provided for,” she said.
The announcement came on top of Labor’s commitment last week to invest $15 million to support local netball and deliver the Jamison Park MultiPurpose Indoor Sports Centre.
When asked how she would uphold these commitments if the Coalition retains Government, Ms Beamer said she would lobby hard to ensure the community received the projects they deserved.
“These are promises that the Labor Government are making, if I’m elected and the Labor Government isn’t, these are things I will continue to push for and they are things as a local member you’ve got to continue to push for,” she said.
Nicola Barton
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Nicola Barton is a news journalist with the Western Weekender, primarily covering crime and politics.