Pathways to elite football open with new artificial pitch at Canterbury Bankstown
Sydney Olympic FC’s grass pitch at Peter Moore field will be replaced by an all-weather surface as an important part of the Belmore Sports and Recreation Precinct masterplan.
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Sydney Olympic’s grass pitch at Peter Moore field will be replaced by artificial turf as an important part of the Belmore Sports and Recreation Precinct masterplan, proving a big boost for the reigning NPL men’s champions.
A Canterbury Bankstown council spokeswoman confirmed the plans for the artificial pitch was approved as a part of the masterplan.
The masterplan covers the management, use and proposed upgrading of this sports precinct over the next 20 years and includes extensive community consultation.
“Quite a few improvements were identified, including a synthetic football field,” the spokeswoman said.
“These now require further investigation, prioritisation, design and costing.”
Sydney Olympic are one of just two football clubs in NSW to have NPL1 men’s and women’s teams.
According to Sydney Olympic CEO John Boulous they currently cannot train or play throughout the year due to the wear and tear from its 20 teams playing there.
The men’s team are the reigning NPL1 team and have thousands of followers.
“There are many community clubs in Canterbury who see Olympic as a pathway to top tier football so this new pitch will be a big boost for everyone,” Mr Boulous said.
“We have 11 men’s and nine women’s team, ranging from under 9 to first grade and the pitch cannot be used for four months of the year due to maintenance.
“With the artificial grass pitch, we can play and train throughout the year and we are working with the council to get the project going.
“It will help the many clubs and players in the area who see Olympic as the pathway to elite football in NSW and Australia.”
The council spokeswoman said the blueprint will help guide the provision of recreation areas to meet the growing needs of the Belmore community.
Mr Boulous, who made a presentation on behalf of the club at the March council meeting, said they are hopeful the pitch will be built this year.
“We are very happy to support the masterplan.”
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The council’s 20-year plan to transform the 16/9 ha Belmore Sports and Recreation Precinct has future uses for the areas currently occupied by Belmore Bowling Club, Terry Lamb Reserve, Belmore Sports ground, Peter Moore Fields and surrounding lanes linking the green space to Belmore Station and Loch St, Campsie.
The project precinct is 16.9 hectares and council said 90 per cent of respondents to the public exhibition last year supported he draft masterplan.
The Draft Masterplan was placed on public exhibition from October 2 to December 28,
2018.
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