Christie Park next in line for synthetic

The construction of two synthetic fields at Christie Park is about to commence this month (April) after the official “turning of the sod” ceremony with City of Ryde’s Mayor, Cllr. Bill Pickering and Cllr. Roy Maggio.

City of Ryde has put itself on the map when it comes to synthetic pitches, by the end of the 2017 football season City of Ryde will have gone from no synthetic pitches to 3 in just 12 months.

Mayor Pickering and Cllr. Maggio are excited about the new development at Christie Park, Mayor Pickering said.

“The Christie Park project is part of Ryde Council’s $5.5 million commitment (Christie Park and ELS Hall Park synthetic projects) to meet the current and future needs of multiple sporting codes with access to high quality facilities.    

“Council’s investment in all-weather facilities secures year-round consistent playing surfaces and is a real game changer for Ryde and the sporting community. I am delighted that we got the ball over the line.”

The $3.5 million project at Christie Park includes:

·         2 new synthetic fields with 100% cork infill system to reduce heat

·         A 1.1 metre chain mesh perimeter fencing to both fields

·         Relocating floodlights for both fields.

Football in the Ryde area has joined forces with Gladesville Hornsby Football Association (GHFA), North West Sydney Women’s Football Association (NWSWFA) and Gladesville Ryde Magic all contributing financially to this exciting project for football.

Christie Park is the home of football for GHFA and has needed an upgrade for many years due to its high intensity use. Once the synthetic fields are complete the surface will be able to absorb over 50+ hours of usage each week. 

Spirit FC, NWS Koalas, Gladesville Ryde Magic and Gladesville Ravens will use the new synthetic fields as their home ground for the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues that they each participate in. Grass roots clubs throughout the Gladesville Hornsby Football Association will no doubt use the venue during the football season as well for matches such as wash outs and finals series games.

The 2 synthetic pitches are part of stage 1 of a masterplan for the site, with future stages including; a new centralised grandstand between the 2 synthetic fields with amenities that include change rooms, canteen, etc., additional synthetic futsal courts and a construction of a third synthetic field above an elevated car park. All additional stages are pending further investigation and funding in the future. Future designs can be viewed here.

The project is expected to be finished in August/September of 2017.