Election 2016: Liberal MP Karen McNamara to make Dobell ‘sports capital’ of NSW

The Central Coast region is set to become the state capital for sports tourism if incumbent Dobell Liberal MP Karen McNamara gets her way.

Karen McNamara, member for Dobell, making a funding announcement for the Central Coast. Picture: Peter Clark

The Central Coast region is set to become the state capital for sports tourism if incumbent Dobell Liberal MP Karen McNamara gets her way.

Almost a million dollars was pledged to sports organisations and facilities in the region as part of what was labelled by Mrs McNamara as a “super sporting Saturday”.

The announcement included $600,000 for Central Coast Football to upgrade synthetic surfaces at Pluim Park, Lisarow; $75,000 to upgrade tennis court surfaces at Wyong Tennis Centre; $135,000 for the upgrade of playing surfaces and the club house at Wyong Hockey Complex; $110,000 for club house and change room renovations for Wyong Lakes AFL club; and $75,000 for an upgrade to Ourimbah Soccer Club’s car park.

Karen McNamara at the Central Coast Express Advocate election forum at Mingara. Pictures by Mark Scott

These announcements are in addition to previous commitments of almost $2.8 million for

new grandstands at EDSACC South and Mingara Recreation Centre, replacement lighting for

Berkeley Vale Panthers Football grounds, a new clubhouse at Charmhaven Tennis Centre

and a new club house and storage facility for North Shelly Boardriders.

Mrs McNamara said she got great pleasure in helping out the region’s sporting organisations and hoped that one day the region could become the sports tourism capital of NSW.

“Throughout the year sports organisation have raised various concerns and I have been listening to these organisations as I lobby on their behalf in Canberra,” she said

“For the past two weeks I have been fighting for money for the electorate.

“The reason these things take time is that everything has to be costed and we have to make sure the money is available.

Karen McNamara announces funding for Berkeley Vale footy oval (L-R) Karen McNamara, Graham Boland, Justin Kelaher (council), Mark O'Hagan (Panthers’ President), Ken Smith (Panthers’ senior operations manager). Picture: Mark Scott

“Now that I’ve promised these things I can assure voters that we will deliver.

“If you tie all of this investment to the Tuggerah sports complex, my dream is for the region to become the sports tourism capital of NSW.

“This investment can bring a flow on in dollars to the economy through tourism.

“We have such a great sporting community here in Dobell and it is a pleasure to be able to

support them.

“Involvement in sports creates a healthy lifestyle and a connected and cohesive

community.”