New amenities will be a Game Changer

The 41-year-old amenities block at Harrison Park has had a much-needed facelift, with the newly refurbished facility officially opened today by Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM, Councillors and representative from the Parkes & District Amateur Soccer Association.

Harrison Park is home to the Parkes & District Amateur Soccer Association and is one of the premier soccer fields in the Central West. However, the amenities were in desperate need of refurbishment.

Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said “these upgrades will certainly be a game changer for local soccer. There are more than 500 registered players, as well as spectators and family members who regularly use these facilities. The grounds are also used by Parkes and District Cricket Association, so the benefits will be shared around the community.”

“The new amenities will improve safety, hygiene and accessibility, and provide Parkes with the necessary infrastructure to host regional and state championships,” Cr Keith said, “this will benefit our local sporting groups, as well as the local economy.”

The new facility features two spacious change rooms, eight additional toilets, and additional facilities for disabled/ambulant access. The change rooms provide direct access to shower facilities, which can be closed to the public in when required.

The new amenities block has been designed for maximum ventilation while still being sheltered from the weather, and also features a new referee room, and accessible parent change room. Energy and water efficiencies include timed taps and bubbler, LED lighting on timed sensors, and drinking bottle refill stations.

The works were managed by Parkes Shire Council’s Building and Projects Officer Bart Ingram and delivered by local building contractor Rodney Barnes.

Parkes & District Amateur Soccer Association’s President, Wayne Osborne said “the new facilities will give Parkes a competitive edge when bidding to host future sporting events.”

“We are looking to apply for some rounds of the Western Youth League, and following that State titles. Councils are really investing in the playing surfaces and sealing work on the car parks, so we will end up with a premier product,” Mr Osborne continued.

“It’s great for the players, and great for the town.”

Cr Ken Keith said that the upgrades really were a team effort.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the NSW Government and Football NSW for their generous support which made these upgrades possible,” he said.

The works were funded by the NSW Government, Football NSW and Northern NSW Football and proudly co-funded by Parkes Shire Council and the Parkes and District Amateur Soccer Association.