Pambula Sportsground upgrade scores fresh government funding

The Bega Valley Shire Council was one of 39 successful recipients of a share in more than $102m from round two of the NSW government's Multi-Sport Facility Fund.

According to the funding citation, the "proposed renewal, and improvement, of the existing buildings with one central pavilion will considerably enhance the facilities for increased utilisation by sporting and community groups across the region".

Pambula sporting clubs and the wider community were left in the lurch earlier this year when council voted to prioritise a Bega Sporting Complex masterplan, using money initially flagged for the Pambula complex.

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New sports hubs for Bega and Pambula have both been on the drawing board for some time, with the masterplans initially endorsed in 2016.

Then in a celebrated announcement in February 2019, state government funding for the projects was committed to the tune of $8.5million for the Bega Sports Hub and $4m for Pambula Sports Hub.

However, design reviews had to be undertaken as projects costs blew out by an estimated $4.5million, and it was decide to focus all monies on the Bega hub and seek different funding avenues for Pambula.

The $3.29m may sound like welcome news, but given council's precarious financial situation, there may still be further hurdles.

Conditions of the NSW government funding include that construction must commence by July 2023 and projects completed by December 2025.

Successful recipients are also required to provide a minimum 50 per cent co-contribution of the grant amount requested.

So for Pambula's grant, council will be asked to contribute a minimum $1.645m.

It's unknown if council has this money set aside already, or had the capacity to complete the project within the specified timeframe.

However, council did welcome the announcement.

Council's parks, aquatics and recreation manager, John Grady said "this substantial commitment of funds" by the state's Office of Sport would provide a great boost towards the development of the multi-sport pavilion building.

"With the total cost of the project estimated at $4.943million, this funding will make a big dent in what we need to complete the new pavilion building complex," Mr Grady said.

"Earlier this year, council agreed the Pambula Sports Building project is the priority major project for external funding within the Parks, Aquatics and Recreation asset categories and that it would contribute up to one third of the total project value which was required as part of the grant program."

Mr Grady said the pavilion was the major item of the complex master plan, providing the community with a sports hub for multiple sporting codes and community events.

"The project will involve replacing three existing, aging buildings with one central hub, solving operating and usability issues surrounding the current facilities," Mr Grady said.

"The pavilion will service both the Australian rules/cricket oval and the rugby league/touch football oval.

"It will include four sets of dividable change rooms, umpire rooms and facilities, kiosks, social rooms, public toilets, accessible public toilets, accessible parking and pathway connections, a covered veranda with viewing area, service connections and a secure storage area.

"With one central pavilion, these enhanced facilities will see increased use by sporting and community groups across the shire."

For more on the adopted Pambula Sporting Complex masterplan, visit council's website here

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