Late Items Agenda of Sport and Recreation Policy Committee

Sport and Recreation Policy Committee 3 December 2019

3.1 Sporting Precinct

RECORD NUMBER: 2019/2646

AUTHOR: Scott Maunder, Director Community, Recreation and Cultural Services

EXECUTIVE Summary

NSW Government has committed $25 million for a purpose-built sporting precinct as outlined in the Orange Sporting Precinct plan developed by Orange City Council.

Council has previously resolved to progress the concept design for Sporting Precinct located on the land owned by Council on the Eastern side of the Northern Distributor between Icely and Ophir Roads.

With the recent vote to amalgamate the Orange Ex-Services Golf Club and Wentworth Golf Club and the proposal that golf activities will be consolidated at the existing Wentworth Golf Club site, there is the possibility that the Sporting Precinct may be located adjacent to the existing facilities if that land were to become available.

Link To Delivery/OPerational Plan

The recommendation in this report relates to the Delivery/Operational Plan strategy “2.1 Live - Identify and deliver sport and recreation facilities to service the community into the future”.

Financial Implications

Nil

Policy and Governance Implications

Nil

Recommendation

That Council resolves:

1 That should the land currently utilised by Orange Ex-Services Club under a lease agreement for the operation of the Bloomfield Gold Course become available, that this site is the preferred site for the construction of the $25 million Sporting Precinct;

2 That should the land currently utilised by Orange Ex-Services Club under a lease agreement for the operation of the Bloomfield Golf Course not be available, that Council confirms the Northern Distributor Site as the preferred location for the Sporting Precinct; and

3 That Council seek any approvals necessary to progress the development of the preferred site.

further considerations

Consideration has been given to the recommendation’s impact on Council’s service delivery; image and reputation; political; environmental; health and safety; employees; stakeholders and project management; and no further implications or risks have been identified.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Bloomfield Site

Orange City Council, in its capacity as Trust Manager of Bloomfield Reserve Trust, entered in a lease agreement with Orange Ex-Services Club for the lease of Bloomfield Country Club, the golf course and surrounds for the purposes of playing, competing or watching golf.

The lease period was 20 years, expiring on 31 December 2025.

At a meetings of members of the Orange Ex-Services Club and Wentworth Golf Club held separately on Wednesday 20 November, members voted to unite the Golf Club.

The two Boards will now work through the process for the legal amalgamation of the Clubs.

Should that amalgamation be finalised, it is planned that the new Club’s golf activities would be played at the existing Wentworth Golf Club Course. Should this occur the current golf activities would cease at Bloomfield Reserve.

Should Orange Ex-Services Club wish to cease golfing activities and maintenance of grounds at Bloomfield Reserve, it would require a release from the existing lease agreement.

Should this occur, the land would then be available for alternate operations/activities with the approval of the Crown.

Given the proximity of the Golf Course to the existing sporting fields located at Sir Jack Brabham Park, Council has developed concept plans for the location of the Sporting Precinct on the 9 holes that adjoin Sir Jack Brabham Park.

Council staff propose that this option, if available, is preferable to the site at the Northern Distributor due to:

· Expansion of existing operations, providing economies of scale for the maintenance and operation of sporting facilities;

· Access to existing power and water;

· Adjacent to the Southern Feeder Road and medical precinct;

· Reduced establishment costs.

This site when fully developed would deliver:

1 10,000 seat capacity main rectangular sporting field stadium

2 Synthetic Athletics Track and Field Stadium

3 Cricket training facility

4 Recreation Park

5 Gnoo Blas Historical Centre site

6 Skateboard Park