New Oxley Oval clubhouse has community at its heart

The Oxley Oval clubhouse is a purpose-built building has the community at its heart with more than $300,000 worth of in-kind contributions and a heap of business support matched by sporting club, council and government investment.

This $378,797 project was delivered through $140,000 from the Australian government under the Community Development Grants Programme.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council provided $150,000 toward the renovation; Cricket NSW $25,000; NSW government $14,245 and Hastings Valley Vikings Rugby Union Club/Hastings River District Cricket Association $49,552.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan, who officially opened the clubhouse with Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams and mayor Peta Pinson on November 3, said the upgrade is great news for the community.

"The clubhouse has been brought into the 21st century and its refurbishment means female sports teams and people with limited mobility can now enjoy the grounds as well," Mr Conaghan said.

"One of the best parts of this major renovation for me is the fact that our government's investment was equally matched by in-kind contributions from the community, proving what a much-loved clubhouse this really is."

In addition to the construction and fit-out of the clubhouse including dressing rooms, referees room, canteen, bar and presentation room, the investment will also produce long-term benefits to the region as it will allow for state and regional sporting events to be held at the oval as well as community events such as the annual Relay for Life.

Teale O'Brien, representing the Oxley Oval Development Committee and Hastings Valley Vikings, said the new clubhouse would not have been made possible without the community's support.

"This was a difficult location but we finally landed and to have it up and running it outstanding," he said.

Craig Lobegeir, president of Hastings District Cricket Club, said almost two decades of persistence and hard work has paid off with the benefits to be enjoyed by the entire community.

"I hope it stands the test of time," he said.

Mayor Pinson said the upgraded clubhouse adds to the impressive array of sporting facilities across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.

"We are a sporting destination of choice, and have an extremely active community that enjoys the camaraderie and competition that sport provides," Cr Pinson.

"I'd like to thank everyone in our community for working together to deliver the upgraded clubhouse and the many other facilities for our sporting community to enjoy."

Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said Oxley Oval is a valuable community asset/

"Investing in sporting infrastructure pays huge dividends in health and fitness for people across our community," Mrs Williams said.

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