Dubbo now has the capability to host first-class cricket matches, with the city’s premier facility being reopened after a multi-million dollar upgrade.
Victoria Park’s No.1 Oval was reopened on Thursday, with the expanded playing surface, picket fencing and clubhouse officially unveiled.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the project was funded as part of an $8 million program announced in 2017, which also incorporated the construction of a new cycling facility for the city.
“We have the best of both worlds now with a top-class cycling complex, and a bigger and better No.1 Oval that can attract first class cricket or even potentially WBBL games,” Mr Saunders said.
“The upgrade will also assist the football codes, as there is a larger playing surface available with the old cycle track removed.
“As well as the original $10 million Stronger Communities Program funding given to Dubbo Regional Council to assist with the merger of the old Dubbo and Wellington councils, there was an additional $27 million allocated and this was the main project to receive funding from that extra tranche of money.
“There is little doubt that No.1 Oval is one of the most picturesque grounds in regional NSW, and the improvements made to the facility mean that the entire precinct, which also incorporates No.2 and No.3 Ovals, has had a significant upgrade.”
The opening continues a big week for sport in Dubbo, after Mr Saunders announced that an NRL match will be played in the city in 2021. “Dubbo residents are lucky to have wonderful facilities such as Apex Oval, No.1 Oval and the new cycling club, and in time we will have a terrific sports hub and indoor stadium, so we need to make use of those facilities by bringing events to town and boosting the local economy,” he said.
It’s really nice to see cricket is being looked after in Dubbo. How about doing something for soccer in the area! Caltex park is for the rugby league/union and number 1 now for cricket.
It’s really sad that when people travel to Dubbo. They have to play on substandard fields where there is no grass and no change rooms or amenities that are east of lady cutler. Now with the western premier league, again we don’t have really good playing surfaces for those teams either. For the younger players who represent our City through representative soccer, again should they have playing fields that showcase our proud city?
Dubbo has very strong soccer representative teams and for those players, coaches, parents and supporters it is embarrassing that we don’t have something that the other codes have.
When Sydney City and Newcastle Jets came to our city to expand the game. They got to play at Caltex Park, but that is the only time soccer will play on that surface. I’m more than happy that each code has amazing fields/amenities, but let each code have something to be proud of playing sport in our city.