Parramatta: Robin Thomas Reserve upgrade starts as part of light rail works

More than a year after being turfed off their homeground to make way for the Parramatta Light Rail, junior soccer and cricket clubs are anticipating the return to their old stomping grounds.

For the homesick Granville-Waratah Soccer Club, a return to their spiritual home at Robin Thomas Reserve, Parramatta, is drawing closer after an upgrade on the park starts this week as part of the $2.4 billion light rail works.

Under the first stage of the works program, the State Government will upgrade a cricket pitch, goalposts, shelters, footpaths, fences, pedestrian lighting and landscaping at the popular Harris St park, which will be one of the stops on the 12km line from Carlingford to Parramatta.

Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee said the improvements would be the first of a major overhaul of Robin Thomas Reserve, which is also the home of Parramatta District Cricket Association.

Granville Waratah players Naitik Jain, Srivardhan Sainath, Hanjie Lin, Nathan Jacono, Miles Murphy, Ramcharan Neerukonda and Ariv Dhage in 2019. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“These improvements will help make Robin Thomas Reserve once again the go-to

place for families, sports enthusiasts and those who like to enjoy the outdoors,’’ he said.

Under the second stage, the clubhouse will be upgraded, and park furniture and barbecue facilities installed.

Granville-Waratah Soccer Club was forced to relocate to Belmore Park, North Parramatta, last season so construction on the $2.4 billion light rail could begin.

Club president Noel Dona said he hoped the clubhouse would be completed for next season.

“In order to return home, we need a clubhouse,’’ he said.

“It’s one thing to have a clubhouse but I’m not sure we can access it with all the light rail works going on.’’

He welcomed the changes following a disruptive season caused by coronavirus and the relocation, which prompted a drop in player numbers at the 120-year-old club, which has several youngsters whose families are without cars.

“We’re pleased that they’re going to start work on the lights and fencing and ground surface,’’ he said.

How the Parramatta Light Rail will look at Robin Thomas Reserve in Harris St.

“Potentially we could be home for the 2022 season and there’s no place like home.

“We’re very much looking forward to returning to our spiritual home.’’

Mr Lee said the light rail at Robin Thomas Reserve at Harris St would be wire-free and grass and shrubs would be grown in and around the tracks.

“This is important green space for the people of Parramatta and it’s appropriate that

we not only preserve it, but enhance it for future generations,” he said.

This first phase of field improvements are expected to take three months.

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