Spicer Oval in Parkes has made the shortlist of projects identified by the Parkes Shire Council for submission to the goverment to receive a share of almost $3 million in infrastructure grants.
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The oval, which acts as a supposed home ground for the Parkes Boars Rugby Union club, has two projects totalling $2.02 million that were selected to the shortlist.
The main project involves building a new clubhouse from scratch and improving the carpark facilities, which at the moment are both completely non-existent, rendering it useless as a 'home' ground.
A new clubhouse and change rooms would be a massive boost for the rugby union club. Given there is now a ladies side, even something as simple as having a separate space to change is a godsend.
Boars representative on the Parkes Sports Council Allan Ryan has been a crucial cog in getting the submission off the ground.
"A new clubhouse would mean we can finally make it our own and make it a home for our teams.
"It gives us a bit of ownership; like the ability to install honour boards to acknowledge our proud history and hold post match drinks- without of course impeding our wonderful sponsors like the Coachman," says Ryan.
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The plan is 90% set, with a little tweaks being suggested by the ever-helpful Sally Chapman, the Parkes Shire Council Grants Officer, who has been another key figure in the project submission.
At this stage a full glass frontage has been proposed, meaning players, supporters and coaches could watch out of the elements.
"A clubhouse would make the oval weather friendly; at the moment there aren't any places to watch in shelter so it isn't an enticing place to watch sport in inclement weather," says Ryan.
On a wider scale, having a fully functional Spicer Oval is a great selling point for events like gala days and country championships, with Northparkes, Pioneer and Spicer potentially providing three good quality facilities at a handy location.
The other key element of the proposed projects is a lighting upgrades. At the moment, there isn't any; rendering the ground useless in winter for training.
$400,000 has been set aside for the lighting proposal, and if successful it must be completed by June 2021, while the amenity building and carpark upgrades must commence within 12 months and completed within three year of signing the deed.
