Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams announced $237,640 for lights at the latest hockey field addition at Hockey Place.

The hockey field lights funding is part of state government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund allocation of almost $690,000 to improve sporting and community facilities in the Port Macquarie area.

Port Macquarie Hastings Hockey Association president Simon Thresher said the $237,640 funding was a fantastic result for the association.

“The lights will enable us to not be so compressed,” he said.

It will allow for an expanded competition, attract other sports to use the facility as well as positioning the facility to attract events.

The $237,640 will go to Port Macquarie Hastings Hockey Association for the lights.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will receive $19,580 to automate the lighting at the Woods Street fields and Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium.

Some $186,973 will go to the council for a new training field and lighting at the Port Macquarie Regional Sports Stadium.

The other funding component is $255,030 for new public toilets at the Short Street car park.

Mrs Williams said the new toilets would be self-cleaning and would be the first public amenity of this type in the area.

The toilets can be relocated in the future, if needed.

Mrs Williams said it was critical that we didn’t underestimate the importance of community infrastructure.

Mayor Peta Pinson said the funding was wonderful news for our community.

She said the majority of the almost $690,000 was going to sports facilities.

“We are recognised as a growing sports region,” Cr Pinson said.