DAN REPACHOLI MP

MEMBER FOR HUNTER

MEDIA RELEASE

18 September 2024

WORKS UNDERWAY ON $7.2MILLION FOOTBALL HUB FOR SINGLETON HEIGHTS

The $7.2million Alroy Oval Sports Precinct redevelopment has kicked off, with demolition of the amenities building and leveling of the site now complete.

The long-awaited Singleton Heights project has been years in the planning to deliver a state-of-the-art complex with two upgraded existing football fields and installation of a third to provide three full-size fields with irrigation, upgraded lighting, new footpaths and an upgraded car park.

A modern, gender-neutral amenities building will also be constructed.

The project is being delivered thanks to a $3million Australian Government Investing In Our Communities grant, a $2million NSW Government Level the Playing Field grant and Singleton Council loan fundings.

Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi, also representing the Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper MP, and Singleton Council General Manager Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr inspected progress at the site today.

Mr Repacholi said there was about one kilometre of temporary construction fencing in place, which gave an indication of the size and scale of the works.

“Alroy Oval is home to hundreds of football players, including our up-and-coming junior players who take to the field each season with the Singleton Strikers Football Club - Community,” he said.

“While our junior teams will be playing out of alternate facilities next year while works are underway, it’ll be great to see them return to state-of-the-art facilities to foster a new generation of Socceroos and Matildas.”

Mr Fitzpatrick-Barr said the project had a particular emphasis on gender-neutral facilities and safety measures such as lighting to encourage more women and girls into the sport.

“A key focus of this project is promoting women and girls to participate in organised sport, and particularly football following on from the success of the Matildas at the World Cup and the Olympics,” he said.

“The new amenities building has been designed to be female-friendly with features including shower cubicles, mirrors over the handbasins and power points for personal care appliances.

“Upgraded lighting, footpaths and carparking are also vital to improving the safety of the site, especially for nighttime training sessions, and we hope we’ll see numbers grow when the project is expected to be complete in September next year.”