Play is back on at Connell Park after an official opening and community fun day to mark the completion of the $9.5 million upgrade project.
The sporting clubs and Bellingen Aquatic Centre (Connell Park Committee) collaborated with Bellingen Shire Council to bring together a packed schedule of games, try-outs, demonstrations and free entry to the pool with classes and fun inflatables to play on.
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor, Cr. Steve Allan, officiated at the ceremony and was thrilled at the success of the day.
“We were blessed with great weather, perfect to showcase our fantastic new sporting facilities right here in the middle of the Bellingen Shire,” said Mayor Allan.
“The pool was open to all with a great inflatable water playground set up in the pool for everybody to play with, and rolling activities across the day, with opportunities to watch and play netball, cricket, soccer, rugby league, archery and frisbee.”
“Uncle Michael Jarrett welcomed us all to Country with a beautiful ceremony, and the Bellingen Scouts served everyone with sausage sandwiches and cold drinks throughout the day. All in all, it was a huge community effort, and it was an honour to be a part of it.”
Bellingen Shire Council General Manager, Mark Griffioen, reflected on the importance of the multiple grants that made up the $9.5 million project, including a $1.5 million contribution from Council.
“There is no way that a small regional council such as ours can fund a project like this without significant government assistance,” said Mark Griffioen.
“We would like to thank the NSW Government who provided multiple grants to the value of $8 million over the lifetime of the project, enabling us to upgrade the Connell Park playground, renovate the Bellingen pool, upgrade the netball courts and sporting fields, replace the Cemetery Park footbridge, build two new amenity buildings, install new lighting, cricket tunnels and new wickets, as well as landscaping the area.”
Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp MP, attended the event, alongside representatives from the NSW Office of Sports, Cricket NSW, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, as well as Kempsey and Grafton Mayors.
“It’s fantastic to see Connell Park come to life and a great example of what can be achieved when all levels of government work together to back regional communities and invest in quality sporting facilities,” Michael Kemp said.
