Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr, president of Wagga Rugby League Warren Barclay and Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout go over the plans for the new changerooms. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Turvey Park’s Harris Oval is set to have its long talked about redevelopment finally take shape.
Wagga Rugby League (WRL) initially received more than $950,000 in funding from the NSW Office of Sport to demolish the current facility in 2022. However, the rising costs to demolish and rebuild facilities and COVID-related staff shortages caused the project to sit in limbo until April this year.
During the three-year period of uncertainty, concerns within Wagga Rugby League grew that the funding would be revoked. Fortunately, Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) agreed to commit a further $318,000 to the project earlier this year.
Now, the $1.6 million project ($985,000 from the NSW Office of Sport, $318,000 from WWCC and the balance from WRL) has officially begun to upgrade the existing facilities.
“After a long wait, we’re finally here. We’ve taken a long time to get to where we are, but we’re excited about the fact that we can finally sink our teeth into the new build at Harris Park,” WRL chairman Warren Barclay said.
“It’s been a good four years with us with this project to try and get it over the line.
“We’re going to build four new unisex changerooms, a canteen and bar, media facilities and a club room/meeting space open to the whole community.
“In the past five years, we’ve introduced competition for girls from under 8s through to seniors, but we were aware that many women and girls were put off by the conditions in the old men’s sheds.
“But now, with new purpose-built changerooms, we’re looking forward to catching the wave in women’s rugby league, which will be a great boost to the sport and the community.”
Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr applauded the work of Wagga Rugby League in working to create a space where female players could feel safe and comfortable.
“I think this is going to be a great facility for the community, but in particular for women’s rugby league,” Dr McGirr said.
“Warren was kind enough to let me have a tour of the original facility, facilities here, which are, look, frankly, have been a bit tired.
“We had two young women rugby league players take us into the facilities, and it was pretty clear what they thought of it.
“If we really want the game to grow amongst women, new and proper facilities are key to that. So this is a fantastic result.
“I also want to pay tribute to Wagga City Council coming on board, so we can make this a reality. It just impresses me, the strength of the sporting culture here in Wagga and the volunteerism that goes with it. It’s what makes our community great, and it’s just wonderful that we’ll be able to do this for rugby league in the city moving forward.”
Construction is scheduled for completion in April next year.
