Parramatta District Cricket Club puts pressure on council to start Richie Benaud Oval upgrade

A western Sydney sports club desperate to ‘remedy a crazy situation’ and upgrade Richie Benaud Oval, fears the project will be overlooked for its ‘cricket-loving’ population.

Parramatta’s cricket community wants the sport to be given funding priority as part of the Belmore Park masterplan.

The successful Parramatta District Cricket Club has urged Parramatta Council to speed up applying federal funds to upgrade Richie Benaud Oval and deliver the city’s only turf wicket before the funding deadline expires in a matter of days.

An overhaul of the Richie Benaud Oval in Belmore Park at North Parramatta has been in the pipeline for almost a decade but became a more serious prospect in May last year when now Parramatta Labor MP Andrew Charlton pledged $6.2m towards a central turf wicket, turf and synthetic practice nets, and a new sports pavilion with spectator seating.

The council must apply for the federal grant to spruce up the cricket facilities, which has been the centrepiece of the $22m Belmore Park masterplan.

But Parramatta District Cricket Club president Greg Monaghan said it had received unofficial feedback the council was “trying to hijack the money allocated to cricket” in favour of playground upgrades that were planned for stage three.

The club understands staff will approach councillors about whether they would support transferring funds for playgrounds before improvements to cricket facilities.

Not so marvellous: Parramatta District Cricket Club is concerned Richie Benaud’s old stomping ground could be overlooked for priority funding.

Mr Monaghan said the council had failed to communicate with the club recently and had not yet submitted paper work for the grant despite a painstaking process from the club.

“It would be criminal to let it lapse,’’ Mr Monaghan said.

“Surely the primary stakeholders and the community who contributed to the masterplan community consultation - and the large and growing cricket-loving population of Parramatta -would be shocked if funds were diverted away from the primary approved purpose of a cricket oval.’’

A Parramatta Council spokesman said it was finalising the $6.2m grant application and would keep the community updated.

“City of Parramatta is committed to a staged delivery of the $22m Belmore Park masterplan and recognises the importance of the upgrade of Richie Benaud Oval to deliver a premier cricket facility for the local cricket community,’’ he said.

“Council remains in regular contact with Parramatta District Cricket Club and will continue to engage with the club as the upgrades progress.’’

Belmore Park also has rugby league fields but the masterplan’s key drawcard is improving cricket facilities.

The council adopted the three-stage masterplan in March 2021. Stage one will include upgrading Richie Benaud Oval and loop path and a temporary amenities building.

Stage two will comprise the sports pavilion, walking loops and seats to sports fields and the third stage will comprise cricket practice facility nets, a playground, park furniture, fitness stations and more pedestrian paths.

Cricket Australia will contribute $200,000 while the cricket club will chip in $100,000.

Mr Monaghan said Parramatta’s growing population warranted exclusive cricket facilities at Richie Benaud Oval, which also has two rugby league fields.

“It is clear the primary purpose of the masterplan and grants was a cricket oval honouring Richie, but also enabling the City of Parramatta to provide its first and only turf wicket - and remedy a crazy situation for a city of our size and with the demographic we have,’’ he said.

A museum dedicated to Mr Benaud, who described himself as a Parramatta boy could also be constructed at the ground.

Mr Benaud grew up in North Parramatta, attended Parramatta High School and played for Parramatta District Cricket Club before he became an Australian Test all-rounder and iconic commentator of the sport.

He died in April 2015 aged 84.