Tempe Reserve synthetic turf agreement will see sporting ground usage soar
Friday 1 May 2020
Inner West Council has voted to endorse a ground-breaking agreement with Newington College over the upgrade of Tempe Reserve, which can lead to two new fields with synthetic surfaces being installed there for the benefit of local sports clubs.
The Stanmore-based school had recently approached Council seeking to contribute towards the upgrade of Tempe Reserve, of which the school is a long-term user.
The heads of agreement, once finalised, will see Council and the College co-invest in two new synthetic playing fields that will increase the usage of the grounds for a variety of local sports clubs.
The precise details of the financial contribution from the College remain commercial in confidence until the agreement is finalised.
Last year, Council endorsed a new program of installing synthetic surfaces at sporting grounds in the Inner West to meet the growing demand from local families for more spaces to play. Tempe Reserve was identified as the highest priority site as it was deemed more suitable to host multiple codes including Aussie Rules, cricket, soccer and both rugby codes.
“Council has now endorsed, in-principle, an agreement that will see Newington maintain their long-term usage of the ground while co-investing significantly with Council in creating a modern sporting precinct at Tempe Reserve,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.
“Local sporting clubs will be the beneficiaries of this partnership and are strongly supportive of the project.
“This upgrade will be of massive benefit to local sports clubs as it will result in the increased use of Tempe Reserve by multiple codes, including local soccer clubs like Marrickville Red Devils.
“At Tempe Reserve, we have an opportunity to create a regional sporting precinct that will benefit the whole of the Inner West. Each synthetic surface we establish there means we can more than double the use of the ground,” said Mayor Byrne.
Gary Schmidt, President of Marrickville Football Club, said the new artificial fields would be a fantastic addition to local sporting infrastructure.
“Marrickville Football Club is delighted with the announcement by Inner West Council that an artificial grass field will be installed at Tempe Reserve for April 2021 to support football and other winter sport codes. We would like to commend Mayor Darcy Byrne and the Inner West Council for their foresight and efforts to get this project approved,” said Mr Schmidt.
“As one of the largest and oldest community sporting clubs in the Inner West, Marrickville FC has been working with council for many years on the maintenance and improvement of sporting facilities for the benefit of residents and the community across our local area.
“One of the major constraints for community clubs such as Marrickville FC is the provision of quality well maintained and safe facilities that the community can sustainably utilise all year round. We also have confidence this new facility will greatly assist with the increase of sport participation and especially that of girls and women in football.
“We know the local community will enjoy it for many years to come,” he added.
Benefits of synthetic turf on sportsgrounds
- The artificial surfaces can be used by multiple codes
- More than doubles the playing time/capacity of sportsgrounds.
- Accessible for people with disabilities whose walkers/racers can only work properly on synthetic surfaces
- Will provide more playing time in the inner west, allowing far more women and girls to play
For media enquiries, contact John Roper, Mayoral Policy and Media Relations Manager, 9392 5914 or john.roper@innerwest.nsw.gov.au