Heavyweight Boost For Burwood FC

Burwood Football Club is a big winner in the lead up to Saturday’s state election with the Liberal Government promising $500,000 towards a major upgrade of facilities at Centenary Park in Croydon if a Baird Government is re-elected.

NSW Premier Mike Baird was joined by former Prime Minister John Howard and Member for Strathfield Charles Casuscelli to make the announcement which indicates the importance the Liberal Party is placing on retaining the contentious seat of Strathfield.

"We are committed to providing local communities with sporting facilities they need to keep up with demand. This upgrade will directly impact young athletes and all members of the public who use Centenary Park”, Mr Baird said.

"My electorate has been calling for a new amenities block for Centenary Park for some time now, so this commitment from the Premier is sensational news," Mr Casuscelli said.

Labor candidate Jodi McKay has already pledged $500,000 to the development project so it appears no matter which party wins the state election a new amenities block will be built at Centenary Park.

The existing amenities block, which was built in 1972, can no longer be used as change rooms and Burwood FC is in urgent need; “Now there is bi-partisan support we feel very positive that this will go ahead but the battle’s not over. We have to work with Ashfield Council, which is the major stakeholder, to draw up plans and put it out to tender,” Burwood FC President Andrew McVeigh said.

Ashfield Council has estimated the total cost of a new amenities facility and related fencing is $1.6 million and, despite a false start to the project when funding promised ahead of the last federal election was withdrawn, remains committed to the development.

“Because we have a large female participation base having a modern, contemporary facility will assist us with growth. The current facility was built back then without any thought to female participation”, Canterbury Football Association CEO Ian Holmes said.