Cricket clubs in Fremantle are celebrating the completion of the new practice nets at Hilton Park.
The worn-out old nets, which were used by Hilton Park Junior Cricket Club and Hilton Bicton Cricket Club, were removed in October as part of the City of Fremantle’s infrastructure renewal program.
The replacement of the nets was being supported through a $30,000 grant from Cricket Australia’s Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund.
Hilton Junior Cricket Club President Wayne Horton said the new nets were essential for the continued development of the club.
“For us it’s everything. We’ve been trying to get these nets down so we can build the club and get bigger and bigger, which we have over the past few years,” Mr Horton said.
“We’ve come to stage now that we’ve got all of our teams filled up, so to have these nets available to train in is just perfect for us.
“The old nets were probably 15 or 16 years old and they were cracked and crumbling.
“They were also facing in the wrong direction, so we had the sun in our eyes which was very dangerous for the younger players. With these new nets, the safety factor alone is just brilliant.
“The new ones have the right positioning, plus they’ve got the rubber matting on the sides that helps to preserve the balls so we don’t have keep buying new ones all the time, which saves the club a lot of money.”
The new cricket nets at Hilton Park have three practice pitches, with an entirely new concrete slab, new artificial turf and new wire mesh.
They’ve also been realigned in accordance with Cricket Australia safety guidelines so players in the nets aren’t looking directly into the sun.
Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said providing facilities for sport and recreation was an important role for local government.
“The City of Fremantle looks after a huge variety of sporting facilities, ranging from elite facilities like Fremantle Oval through to suburban ovals, recreation centres and swimming pools,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
“It’s fantastic to see how local sporting clubs like Hilton Park Junior Cricket Club are thriving, and the City is happy to support them with facilities like the new nets at Hilton Park.”
Earlier this year the City of Fremantle also completed upgrades to the heritage grandstand and lighting at Gilbert Fraser Reserve in North Fremantle, as well as lighting upgrades at Frank Gibson Park in Fremantle.
Other improvements and upgrades are planned for the sporting facilities at Hilton Park, including the clubhouse at Ken Allen Reserve, a new synthetic bowling green at Hilton Park Bowling Club and improvements to the changerooms and lighting at Dick Lawrence Oval.
The City will also be making improvements to the facilities at Stevens Reserve, replacing the cricket nets at Fremantle Park and the renewing the basketball court at Parmelia Park.
