GWYDIR Shire Council and the Bingara Sporting Club have secured $25,000
from the NSW Government’s Sport and Recreation Participation and Facility
Programs to convert the old Bingara squash courts into a fitness centre.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall made the announcement in
Bingara recently and met the stakeholders to discuss their plans.
Mr Marshall said he was pleased to be able to support the club’s application and
delighted to see grants going to grassroots sport in local communities.
“This is an exciting project for Bingara and an excellent example of the outcomes
that can be achieved when community groups work in partnership with council,”
he said.
“Twelve months ago, the Gwydir Shire Council refurbished the old squash courts
in Warialda, turning them into a fitness centre and the whole venture has been a
success story from the get go.
“One of the courts has a dual purpose, it functions as a squash court and
aerobics exercise room, the other court is a weights room and the foyer houses
all the aerobic exercise equipment.
“This set up will be replicated at the old squash courts in Bingara and the Bingara
Sporting Club and other sporting groups and community members have invested
a great deal of time and effort to get this project up and running,” he said.
Mr Marshall said the council applied for the grant on behalf of the Bingara
Sporting Club which owns the squash courts. “The council will also assist with the refurbishment of the centre by providing some financial assistance as well as ‘in kind’ labour support.”
Gwydir Shire Council’s Recreation Manager Duncan Thain said the grant was a
real boost to the community who had already done a lot of ‘behind the scenes’
work to make the centre a reality.
“The key issue, when applying for the grant, was to demonstrate the community’s
commitment to the project and we certainly have that in Bingara,” Mr Thain said.
“At the Orange Festival the club ran a fun run and raised over $2,000 for the
refurbishment so we are really off to a great start and it just a huge bonus that we
have been successful in our grant application.
“This centre will be a little different to the Warialda gym as there is a viewing area
in the Bingara building which will be converted into a boxing studio.
“It will be run on the same premise as the Warialda centre where is can be
accessed 24/7 and to keep costs at a minimum, there will be no paid employees
manning the centre.”
MEDIA RELEASE: Adam Marshall 0429 440 054 or 02 6772 5552
