McLean Street mowing and drainage fix delights Coffs United

The McLean Street sports complex will be feeling the love as council moves to remedy a number of issues at the grounds. See what’s planned.

One of the largest community sport clubs on the Coffs Coast is tickled pink after council moved to address issues at the McLean Street fields.

Over the Christmas-New Year period concern had grown like the grass at the sports and community hub - worrying officials at Coffs City United Football Club that their popular six-a-side competition and senior pre-season preparations could be impacted.

Another pinch-point was a pool of stagnant water on the ground right by the place where the club runs its canteen.

But Coffs Harbour City Council communications team leader Kate Pembroke said the grounds team was sourcing a fix to the drainage problem at McLean Street, while mowing of the fields is scheduled.

The grounds work crew have been focussed on the Coffs International Stadium, which had to be at its best to host two Big Bash League (BBL) cricket matches involving the Sydney Sixers.

United’s six-a-side competition organiser, Noel Goodworth, said he understood that high profile fixtures like the BBL brought money into the city, and promoted Coffs Harbour to a national audience.

“But we’d like to see council establish a separate work crew dedicated to the upkeep of community fields,” Mr Goodworth said.

It’s a sentiment echoed by United club president Brett Hodgekiss: “We’re not having a go at council, we want to work with them - to find a solution”.

Local sports clubs will now lobby the newly elected councillors for a stand-alone work crew for community fields.

But the timing is challenging - as council like many organisations is hampered by Covid, with a reduced available workforce.

“Council continues to monitor the impacts Covid-19 is having on our current and projected staffing levels and any associated impacts on service delivery,” Ms Pembroke said.

“The main service that has been affected is the lifeguard service at Jetty Beach which is not anticipated to resume until January 14. Shows at the Jetty Theatre have also been affected with customers being directly contacted about any changes.

“All critical functions are being maintained, however it is anticipated that supply chain issues could impact project delivery timelines this year.

“If it is deemed necessary to reduce opening hours for our customer service centre, libraries, museum and gallery, advice will be provided to the community as soon as we can. This is a rapidly changing situation.”

Mr Goodworth said United was also pleased to hear that council would give them access to sand so they can patch a number of holes on the McLean Street playing fields.