While the playing season is over for 2018, life won't stop at the Hoppers. If you venture down to Kindra Park in the late Spring and Summer, you're likely to see a bit going on. And here's why.
Earlier this year (and as reported at Presentation Night), the CRFNC put in for some grants under the NSW Government 'Stronger Country Communities' program to do a bit of investing.
And the news was good, with the following projects approved:
1. A new irrigation system for Kindra Park (main oval will have over 1000m of cable), including re-development / re-laying of the playing surface and improved drainage. At the same time we've decided to extend the ground by several metres, providing us with true 50m arcs (currently about 47m) and a true 50m centre square (currently 48m). If you check the picture you'll see how the ground will be extended at the southern (Sport and Recreation Club end). Look for the red line and how it extends beyond the fence line. The fence will be taken out very soon and work will get underway.
2. Complete re-surfacing (116 tonnes of asphalt) and re-marking of all three netball courts.
3. Installation of a new Public Address (PA) system (including 2 amplifiers and 7 speakers), to help with announcements that will extend to both grounds (great for announcing fund raising, raffles, minute silence recipients, upcoming events and so on)
The total cash value of the investment is about $177,000, plus at least $50,000 of in-kind support from local trades businesses and construction companies.
Several parties put this proposal together, but special acknowledgement is warranted to Stu Seymour as the Board's driving force, Coolamon Shire Council (especially Jess Inch) for its guidance on the funding criteria, and D&L McCallum P/L for its various types of support, including especially for the earth moving phase of this project.