By LAWRENCE MACHADO
Hills Shire residents, already enjoying some of the best sports facilities in NSW, will be spoilt for choice when the new multi-purpose sports complexes and facilities are rolled out in the coming months and years.
Sports including baseball, basketball, cricket, football, rugby, rugby league, tennis and swimming will be able to accommodate more participants as clubs and associations resume competitions when the Covid lockdowns end. Sports Facilities Sports Facilities
Masterplans for Castle Hill’s Fred Caterson Reserve, and Balmoral Road Reserve, Kellyville will be a boon for sports and recreational aficionados when completed. The half ball court at South Maroota is open. Sports Facilities Sports Facilities
One of the biggest projects in the shire is the relocation of the Eastwood Rugby Club to Castle Hill’s Fred Caterson Reserve, with NSW Shute Shield matches to be played from next year, if construction goes according to plan. Eastwood’s new ground will boast a synthetic all-weather grass pitch and a floodlit stadium and be able to host premier matches.
BMX riders, cricketers, basketballers, baseballers and tennis players already use the impressive facilities at Fred Caterson Reserve with more upgrades coming up under the council’s master plan. A council spokesperson confirmed that the sub-base for the tennis courts, the steel frame work for the amenities building and the new footpath and cycleways network has been completed.
The complex will feature four multi-purpose fields – including two cricket ovals – four tennis courts and two floodlit multi-use ball courts, changing rooms, public toilets, a meeting room and storage facilities. The new complex will have parking spaces for 245 cars, a picnic area, playground and importantly link pedestrian and cycling paths into the local trails network.
Renovation of the popular Waves Fitness and Aquatic Centre, which has served the community for years, is going ahead full swing, with the outdoor 50m pool being tiled. The new-look Waves will be the envy of the NSW swimming fraternity with the world’s controlling swim body FINA standard Olympic sized 50m pool with 10 lanes, a combined indoor 25m learn-to-swim pool, family leisure pool, a 20m warm water program pool and a 25m outdoor pool with spa, sauna and steam room facilities.
Residents have time until September 28 to have their say on the Beaumont Hills-based Caddies Creek Sports Complex draft masterplan – stage 2, where more football fields and smaller court sports can be accommodated. The council is taking a long term vision for the Caddies Creek Sports Complex, with a premier football facility among the main goals. The complex currently also has cricket and baseball fields. Sports Facilities Sports Facilities
“The draft masterplan also includes a range of exciting upgrades, including a proposed Football Centre of Excellence, more parking and expansion of the shared pathway network,” Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne said. “Council understands the demand for more fields and wishes to start the planning process as soon as possible. This will make the facility closer to being shovel ready for when the land is dedicated to council.”
The council said the site of the proposed Stage 2 works is owned by the NSW Government but is expected to be dedicated to the council as part of the rezoning of Bella Vista and Kellyville Precincts
