Niagara Park Stadium is set to be transformed into a first-class sporting venue, with upgrade works underway to improve accessibility ahead of a full calendar year of regional and state championships.
The venue will host major events including Netball NSW Regional League, Drill dance NSW State Titles, Northern NSW Futsal Regional Schools Championships, Australian Tai Chi Masters Tournament, Table Tennis NSW Country Championships, Football NSW Regional Schools Knockout, Basketball NSW Country Championships, Basketball NSW NEJL Tournament, Netball NSW Premier League games, Australian Highland Dance Festival, Central Coast Crystal Festival, and Table Tennis NSW City v Country.
The $2.8M project has received $850,000 from the NSW Government Stronger Country Community Fund, with Central Coast Council contributing $1,950,000 from planned capital expenditure.
Council Director of Community and Recreation Services Melanie Smith said Council undertook community consultation to inform the design and construction of the venue, which will result in an accessible modern facility, improving what was previously in place.
“Niagara Park Stadium is a regional indoor sporting complex, and its facilities are widely used by schools, local patrons, sporting clubs, regional and state junior sporting organisations,” she said.
“The facility is primarily used for basketball, netball, roller hockey and many other indoor sports.
“More notably, it is one the largest wheelchair basketball facilities on the Central Coast.”
The upgrades will include: developing the existing dirt carpark to accommodate disabled parking; a new driveway, pedestrian pathway and entrance; improvements to player facilities including new accessible amenities; and new signage, with an improved façade.
Council appointed the design development and construction contract to North Construction & Building with works commenced on April 9 and set for completion by October 15.
There are no planned disruptions to the carparking area during construction.
The existing driveway previously limited to deliveries will be closed during construction, along with the existing access pathway and entrance, temporarily diverted during construction via the bike path adjacent the school.
Temporary amenities will be available during construction located near the forecourt area of the facility.
“There may be some disruption to already scheduled events while the upgrades are going on, and we apologise for any inconvenience experienced,” Smith said.
“We look forward to patrons having the opportunity to enjoy the upgrades once complete.”
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the upgrades would help enable people with disability to have choice and control on how they wanted to participate in sport.
“Council is committed to supporting our venues, clubs and community spaces to adapt their facilities and equipment to become more accessible and inclusive for the community,” he said.
“There are 4.5 million Australians who have disability.
“That’s a lot of people who want to live an active, healthy lifestyle by either playing or participating in sport and so our facilities need to be inclusive and ready to embrace everyone.”
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