After many years of hard work saving money, advocating and planning, the Parkes Pumas Touch Association has had their wish come true.
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The pavilion at their home ground at Cheney Park has had a much needed facelift and upgrades, and most of it is thanks to Parkes Shire Council's and the NSW Government's support.
The renovations were officially unveiled before a small gathering on Wednesday and feature a grand awning, new air conditioning, new disabled toilet, new toilets and change rooms with sensor lights, space for a new soon-to-be-installed kitchen, a new paint job and concrete-rendered exterior.
The work has also opened the building up for club members to utilise more.
"The club was only using half of the building because there was so much stuff stored inside, now the renovations have opened it all up," Pumas president Dave Cooper said.
"A complete renovation had been on our wish list for more than 10 years, so too for a long time has a big new awning."
Deputy Premier John Barilaro, accompanied by Member for the Legislative Council Sam Farraway, helped to cut the ribbon to open the amenities.
Also present were members from the Parkes Pumas and the family of the late Wes Cheney, whom the park is named after - his daughters Vivienne Cunningham and Loris White, granddaughter Helen Kenyon and great-granddaughter Donna Swetland.
The new outdoor covered area will allow the club to host presentations, meetings and courses, and will allow room and shade for players and spectators to sit and gather.
The club also has a new and bigger control room.
Up to $228,000 from the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund and $200,000 from council funded the work, with the Whiteson Group tasked to do the job.
It took 20 weeks to complete and Whiteson Group representatives Dale Sargeant and Gary Shemilt were present at the opening.
A further $20,000 from the Parkes Pumas will go towards installing a new kitchen, complete with stainless steel benches and cabinets, and new fridges.
"Good governance by the committee over many years has helped to build up those reserves," Dave said.
"An accessible outdoor facility like this is thanks to the help of council and the government."
Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM said the building is a big contrast to what it was 18 months ago.
The old amenities block was looking "tired" and lacked the modern facilities needed to support the hundreds of sports users visiting Cheney Park to play touch football, hockey and cricket on weekends or for school spots.
"Cheney Park is named after the late Wes Cheney who was an inaugural member of the Parkes Sports Council, which is celebrating 75 years this year," he said.
"He brought in his own farm machinery to develop the sport ovals... He laid the foundations for sports in Parkes.
"He has a cricket ground named after him too, he was a big cricket fanatic."
Council's Works and Services Director Ben Howard wanted to recognise the club's contribution to the project.
"Their support for the project especially - they had good input, they helped us with consulting and they moved out very quickly so we could take occupancy," he said.
"They're a good association to deal with."
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