Hands up if you've ever played petanque?
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Anyone? Please?
Well, you're going to be the one who misses out because a new petanque court is nearing completion in Port Macquarie.
Surprised are you?
Well, according to that well-resourced fount of knowledge - aka Google - petanque (pronounced pe-tank) is, indeed, a thing.
It is considered a sport that falls into the category of boules sports - along the lines of raffa, bocce, boule lyonnaise, lawns bowls and crown green bowling.
The sport - a loose phrase no doubt - requires boules (balls) and or cochonnet (little ball).
I kid you not.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has started on the first stage of the Stuart Park's construction program: the relocation of the petanque court.
The petanque court relocation will have a low impact on the precinct and its users.
The existing petanque court will remain open until construction of the new court is completed, after which the old site will transform into a site compound.
Noise from machinery may cause a minor disturbance to users at the adjacent tennis courts; there will be no impact on the existing parking.
The new petanque court is expected to be completed shortly.
Council and the state government are investing $4 million into the development of Stuart Park and its sporting infrastructure to provide premier recreational facilities that will benefit a range of sports, and can be accessed by all ages and abilities.
Council will contribute $800,000 to the upgrades, with $3.192 million to be provided under the NSW government's regional sports infrastructure fund.
As part of the project, council conducted a pop-up engagement session on aspects of the overall plans to upgrade the precinct. The project was listed as part of council's operation plan for 2019/20.
The upgrades will include:
- A new 1.8km perimeter walking track,
- mulit-purpose netball and basketball courts,
- upgrades to change rooms and lighting,
- a new playground,
- BBQ facilities and
- an off-leash dog park.
Improvements will also be made to floodlighting, spectator seating, car parking, storage facilities and drainage.
As a footnote, you are most likely aware that the highest governing body for petanque is the Confédération Mondiale des Sports de Boules.
But you, as a champion of petanque, already knew that.
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