TAMWORTH is set to become a regional sporting capital after newly-incumbent NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian gave the proposed $17 million Sporting Complex the green light.
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The premier dropped into Tamworth during her first week in office over the weekend, stating that the state government would match Tamworth Regional Council’s pledge of $4.25 million to go along with the $8.5 million already secured from the Federal Government to pull the trigger on the Northern Inland Centre for Sporting Excellence.
Two of the biggest winners are the local athletics and cycling clubs, who will both benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, built onto the already existing Sports Dome, which will also be getting an extension as part of the plan.
Tamworth Cycle Club president Mark Stewart said that getting a new 333m asphalt velodrome and 900m criterium circuit will secure the future of the club, after TRC announced four years ago that the current velodrome sight on Peel St could be sold.
“The angles won’t be as steep on the velodrome so it won’t be as intimidating and will be more accessible,” Mr Stewart said.
“It also means that we won’t have to do any traffic control measures for the criterium, so it will be safer and hopefully the centre will encourage more parents to let their kids try it.”
The centre will also open up more commercial opportunities for coaching and training.
“I can only see good things for the entire community,” Mr Stewart said.
“We have to consult council on some further specifics over the next few months, but we envision that it will be up and running within 12 months.”
Tamworth Little Athletics President Niel Barry echoed those sentiments, as his club gets set to have a long-awaited synthetic track at their disposal.
“It is great news for us and the region,” Mr Barry said.
“It has been a long time coming, but everyone had to get all the right things in a row first and now it is happening.”
The athletics complex will have a full tartan track with Olympic-standard dimensions, as well as a fully turfed interior for throwing events.
“We are already in early planning with Athletics NSW to hold more events at the new facility,” Mr Barry said.
“And we are expecting it will attract more junior and senior athletes to the club.”
“It is great news for everyone, not just athletics and cycling, because lots of sports will benefit.”
“There is more big plans down the track as well.”
