The Newington Gunners and City of Parramatta Council have had a big win with the NSW Government finally offering some assistance with announcement of a $1 million grant from the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund for the construction of a pavilion at Newington Reserve.
The Gunners were forced off their home at Wilson Park by the NSW Government after the announcement of a $30 million Cricket NSW Centre of Excellence at the site and left without any alternative ground within their local community nor any assistance from the NSW Government.
After being left to deal with the fall out, in 2020 the City of Parramatta Council announced a proposal to upgrade Newington Reserve to include new sports fields, lighting and community recreation facilities, as well as the sports pavilion to be funded using this grant.
The grant represents the first and so far only piece of assistance the NSW Liberal Government has provided the Gunners in the two years since kicking them out of Wilson Park.
“I’m delighted that the Newington Gunners and City of Parramatta have finally received some assistance for their new home after being left high and dry by the NSW Government,” Member for Auburn Lynda Voltz MP said.
“It’s an indictment on the NSW Government that they were willing to kick out a local community club from their home and wait two years before giving any help.
“I look forward to seeing the Gunners thriving at their new home at Newington Reserve.
“Community sporting facilities are as rare as hen’s teeth in Newington and Wentworth Point – it is vital that families in these areas don’t keep losing out to professional sport.”
DATE: TUESDAY 25th JANUARY 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: 0433 433 604 (VOLTZ)
