$3.4m upgrades for popular Lionel Watts Reserve on the northern beaches

It has been described as one of the northern beaches’ ‘standout projects in recent years’. Now the state-of-the-art facility upgrades at Lionel Watts Reserve are open for use, in what will see less sporting matches cancelled due to bad weather.

Charlotte Hall (10), Daisy Addison(11), Tai Addison (14) and Josh Cowling (10) enjoy the new facilities at Lionel Watts Reserve in Frenchs Forest. Picture: (AAP IMAGE/Jordan Shields)

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Our sporting stars of the future can be found in Frenchs Forest following the opening of the state-of-the-art facilities at Lionel Watts Reserve.

Northern Beaches Council has opened its $3.4 million upgrade of facilities, including two full size synthetic football fields, a smaller junior football pitch plus a senior AFL oval.

It’s all smiles as the new synthetic pitch opens. Picture: (AAP IMAGE/Jordan Shields)

“It is one of our standout projects in recent years, providing a first class all-weather field to football, AFL, softball, cricket and touch football among other sports,” Mayor Michael Regan said.

Last Saturday marked the second weekend teams took to the synthetic turf — and initial reviews have been glowing.

Youngsters on the northern beaches will benefit from the new synthetic pitch. Picture: (AAP IMAGE/Jordan Shields)

Among the sides to play there include Wakehurst Soccer Club and Forest Lions AFL.

“No one likes to see games cancelled due to wet weather, and the more synthetic pitches we have the more fixtures will be able to be completed,” Mayor Regan said.

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