Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, has welcomed the signing of the deed of agreement for the new $17.2 million Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence to be constructed in Tamworth.

 

Mr Joyce said the milestone marked an important day for the Tamworth and New England region which will see a state of the art facility built that will strengthen Tamworth’s reputation as the regional powerhouse in sporting infrastructure.

 

“The Coalition Government is continuing to deliver vital infrastructure for the New England Electorate and having such a modern and state of the art facility right here in Tamworth will ensure local athletes will be able to train and compete at home without having to travel long distances,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“The new facilities will comprise of four key sporting infrastructure assets such as a synthetic athletics facility, cycling centre, outdoor equestrian arena and an extension to the indoor sporting centre.

 

“This project is made possible by Federal funding with contribution from the NSW Government and Tamworth Regional Council, which is a great example of all tiers of government working together to deliver vital infrastructure for local people.”

 

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the project is just one example of the many projects around the electorate made possible by a Coalition Government.

 

“We want to build our local region for the future which is why we are investing in projects like the centre of sporting excellence which will drive growth in our community and encourage more investment from the private sector.”

 

Tamworth Regional Council Mayor Col Murray said he was pleased council was a partner in the project.

 

“We are excited to not only be a funding partner of this significant project but to be the one to deliver it to the community,” he said.

 

“We are looking forward to the start of construction in mid-September.”

 

The Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence will include:

 

 

• A 100m x 100m Outdoor Equestrian Arena;

• Extension to Existing Sports Dome;  

• Cycling Centre comprising a 333m cycling velodrome with Asphaltic Concrete (AC) surface, an 800m criterium cycling track with bitumen sealed surface to replicate road;

• An Athletic Field comprising a 400m athletics track and field, including an 8-lane synthetic athletics track, four synthetic long jump/triple jump pits, field event facilities including high jump, pole vault, shot put, discus and javelin;

• An upgrade to Jack Smyth Drive with around 200 additional car parking spaces.

The Federal Government is contributing $8.5 million to the projects, while Tamworth Regional Council is contributing $4.45 million on top of funds already spent on planning and the NSW Government $4.25 million.

 

The project is expected to be completed in March 2019.

 

 (ENDS)