THE new amenities block at Scone Park was officially opened on Saturday, October 31.
The new block will benefit both Scone Rugby League and Scone Rugby Union players and includes new mens and ladies toilets as well as a referees room and two new change and
shower rooms for visiting and home teams.
Scone Junior League president Matthew Emanuel said he thought the new amenities block would be good for both Scone Junior League and Senior League and it would lift the profile of Group 21.
The block took 14 weeks to construct using local labour and help including some of the local footballers.
The old block was moved to Brumby Park for Scone Rugby Union players to use.
Scone Rugby League president Scott Pennell said the Rugby Union players used to cross the road to use the old amenities block for home games.
“They will now have their own but they can still come over here on big games,” Mr Pennell said.
Mr Pennell said the new block would get its first use by local teams when training starts in January.
Opening the new block, Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon said opening amenities blocks does not usually rate highly on politicians to do lists, but this was far more important because it was for sport which he considered important for society.
Mr Fitzgibbon has had a long history with rugby league, playing as a junior and he played grade football for Cessnock for five years.
He said playing sport was important as it was team building, brings people together, and keeps people active.
“I think it makes far better individuals,” he said.
At the opening, Upper Hunter Shire mayor Lee Watts said the project was funded with part $416,000 allocated to the council under round one of the Federal Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure program.
“When this funding was announced to boost local economies and help councils across Australia to build and refurbish community infrastructure, council identified several priority projects,” Cr Watts said.
“This project was allocated $120,000 of that funding as well as a $40,000 council funded contribution and community volunteer working in kind to create a completely new amenities building,” she said.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the funding was to get things done that would not have been done for years and the projects were selected by local councils.
“Its far better for locals to make the decisions than Canberra,” he said.
Other projects completed with the $416,000 in funding included improving kitchen facilities at the Murrurundi RSL Hall, upgrading facilities at the school of arts building at Merriwa, enhancing access for people with disabilities over the Pages River footbridge at Murrurundi, the creation of a new playground at Wingen, work to improve pedestrian access on the Graeme St bridge at Aberdeen, renovating the community centre at Cassilis and rehabilitating and strengthening the runway at Scone Airport.
Cr Watts said there were more projects on the councils to do list, but she was confident that the projects that were allocated funding will improve the quality of life for visitors and residents of the shire.
Mr Fitzgibbon said most of the projects would be almost finished as they have to be done by the end of the year.
Mr Emanuel said along with the new amenities block, Scone Park would also soon boast two new mini fields for juniors and work should be completed by the end of the month.
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