Major works are underway on Rydalmere Park’s multi-million dollar makeover, including a state-of-the-art synthetic grass field.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer joined members of the Rydalmere Football Club to celebrate the start of a series of upgrades to the 6.4-hectare park and associated facilities.
“The projects outlined in the Rydalmere Park Masterplan, which was developed following extensive community consultation, will turn this significant asset into a space that meets the community’s changing recreational needs,” Cr Dwyer said.
“Community spaces and sporting facilities such as those at Rydalmere Park provide a valuable opportunity for people to connect with their neighbours, stay active and enjoy nature right on their very own doorstep.”
Among the improvements to the park is a $2.5 million upgrade to the northern playing field, jointly funded by the NSW Government’s Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund and City of Parramatta Council. This field will receive a new synthetic grass playing surface, fencing and lighting to meet Football NSW ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Premier League requirements. At a later stage, the two southern turf playing fields will also be upgraded.
Other works to the park will include the development of the former bowling club site for multipurpose use; increased vegetation, shade, shelter and seating; upgrades to recreational spaces such as the playground, multipurpose court and circuit path; and maintenance of existing amenities buildings.
Parramatta MP Geoff Lee said: “The $5 million commitment to upgrade Rydalmere Park is a great example of the NSW Government investing in local sporting facilities.”
Rydalmere Football Club president Peter Bacha thanked City of Parramatta Council and the State Government for making the long-awaited upgrade a reality.
“The upgrade to these facilities will allow us to compete locally at the highest levels of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Premier League competition and provide even more footballing opportunities for local kids,” he said.
As Parramatta’s population grows, synthetic pitches will become an increasingly important part of the mix in providing the local community with sporting and recreational opportunities.
Synthetic fields provide a consistent, durable and safe playing surface that can be used seven days a week all year round – providing more capacity to accommodate increasing demands. Synthetic turf also requires less water than natural grass and addresses the issue of poor grass growing conditions due to hot, dry weather.
Rydalmere Park’s new synthetic grass field is scheduled for completion in February 2020.
