Expansion of the The Kingsway Sporting Precinct at St Marys is edging closer with a local company given the go-ahead to construct several additional sporting fields, boosting the popular facility’s capacity.
Penrith Council recently awarded turf renovation and irrigation specialists Romba Civil and Landscape (Romba) the $1.6 million job, which will involve construction of four fields, one cricket pitch and associated works to be situated west of the existing Touch and OzTag fields.
The new sporting fields will be suitable for both League and Union, a Penrith Council officer confirmed during last Monday night’s Ordinary Council meeting, and will include two senior and two junior fields.
The project will also provide the precinct with a new junior cricket pitch, LED flood lighting to all the new fields and landscaping.
It forms part of a $3.1 million injection into The Kingsway (West), which will also include car park upgrades and construction of an amenities building, the latter of which was completed last year.
“As our community grows, demand on more sports facilities increases,” a report prepared for Councillors states.
“Council has previously carried out designs for The Kingsway precinct that included new sports fields, new amenities building and car park upgrade. These developments aim to address some of the growing needs of the community.”
Under normal circumstances, The Kingsway playing fields attract around 7,500 participants each week through a range of sporting and recreational pursuits, however it is currently closed due to the Coronavirus crisis.
Competitions, including Penrith OzTag’s winter season, are in limbo.
The Kingsway is one of the largest Touch Football and OzTag facilities in Greater Sydney with its 18 playing fields, and is used by local cricket clubs and several schools for sport and gala days.
Last year, the State Government and Penrith Council invested $500,000 and $195,000 respectively to upgrade floodlighting across the existing 18 fields, install accessible paths around the amenities building and upgrade the playing surface of eight fields.
Following a competitive tender process, Romba was awarded the project, trumping 13 other applicants to secure the work after offering the best price and value for the main scope and tender options.
The cost of the project is $1,570,776 excluding GST and will be taken from Council’s Development Contributions fund.
Alena Higgins
Alena Higgins is the Weekender's Senior News Reporter, primarily covering courts and Council issues.