Hills District Pony Club homeless after Fred Caterson Reserve upgrade
A historic northwest pony club is facing a difficult future after an upgrade to Fred Caterson Reserve was confirmed to include a relocation of the Hills District Pony Club.
Hills Shire
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The Hills District Pony Club say they may not survive being moved from their beloved grounds on Gilbert Rd in Castle Hill as a result of a massive upgrade to Fred Caterson Reserve.
Last week Hills Shire Council voted to place plans to turn Fred Caterson Reserve into a premium sporting facility on public exhibition.
In what could lead to the demise of the Hills District Pony Club, it would have to relocate to make way for three rugby union fields.
Rennie Keddie, secretary of the Hills District Pony Club, said the club still had not found a home despite discussions with the Hills Shire Council for more two years.
“It is really a really difficult situation for us,” she said.
The uncertainty she said has had a devastating impact on the club.
“It is hard to retain members when you have this uncertainty,” Ms Keddie said.
She acknowledges that less people in Castle Hill ride horses but says it is still a popular pastime in other nearby areas such as Kenthurst and Dural.
The Hills District Pony Club is one of the oldest pony clubs in NSW, starting with around 30 people on June 19, 1954.
It regularly hosts major competitions.
But a report by the Department of Planning in 2019 identified the grounds on Gilbert Rd as “under-utilised” arguing the site could be used to meet “greater demand for recreational facilities”.
Hills Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne described the Fred Caterson Reserve master plan as “vital” to accommodate the predicted growth of The Hills over the coming years.
“Fred Caterson Reserve is one of the oldest, largest and most highly used public open spaces in our Shire and offers a diverse range of sporting and recreational facilities,” she said.
“This space is serving our community well now and is essential in catering for the expected 22, 000 residents who will call the Showground precinct home once it is fully developed.”.