Fairfield secures $9.4m for Showground
The redevelopment of Fairfield Showground was budgeted to cost Council $25.2m, but the securing of a recent grant has freed up nearly $10m.
The redevelopment of Fairfield Showground was budgeted to cost Council $25.2m, but the securing of a recent grant has freed up nearly $10m.
Fairfield City Council has successfully secured $9.4m in funding from both the Australian and NSW Governments, under a program designed to future proof civic areas in Western Sydney for the next 20 years.
Council started looking into redevelopment options for the Showground in May 2016. Since then, it was decided it would be transformed into a place for cultural festivals, major sporting events and a “mini centennial park”.
Construction work is ongoing, but recently a milestone was passed; the turf of the cricket/AFL oval was laid. From February 8-10, this oval will be the venue for the City’s annual Tết festival.
Other nearby sporting fields are still under construction – and won’t be completed until the fourth quarter of 2019. Currently, the turf for the international-size football field is being laid, while the earth on an all-weather synthetic field is being broken.
Also under construction is a 2070 sqm awning area for festivals. When it’s finished, it’ll have a movable stage, solid flooring, power, lighting and drainage.
Despite the progress, there are other projects that still have some way to go. These include the building of amenity facilities (rest rooms, change rooms and kiosks); exercise stations, playgrounds and an off-leash park; upgraded grandstands; TV-grade lighting for the football field; a laser lighting system for sporting and community events; and improved carparking.
The $9.4m grant secured by Fairfield City Council was awarded under the Western City Livability Program. It’s aim is to ready the communal areas across eight Western Sydney councils for the growth being brought by the development of the Badgerys Creek Airport and Aerotropolis.
A total of $170 million is being offered under the inter-government grants. The Federal and NSW Governments have chipped in $60m, while the remaining eight councils have contributed a combined $50m. These councils include Fairfield, Liverpool, Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Wollondilly, Hawkesbury and Penrith.
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