City of Newcastle delivers multi-million dollar upgrade for Smith Park

The City of Newcastle delivery of a multimillion-dollar upgrade for Smith Park in Hamilton North includes a significantly improved playing surface with the installation of new drainage and irrigation, the realignment of fields used for cricket, football and Oztag, as well as the repositioning of three synthetic cricket wickets.

These improvements represent stage one of the Smith Park Masterplan and are consistent with the long-term vision for the park, meeting the needs of all users including Hamilton Azzurri Football Club, junior and senior cricket, and Newcastle Oztag.

Future works proposed for Smith Park include carpark realignment, a community building, a multi-sports court and lighting

Chair of the Sports Infrastructure Working Party, Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said City of Newcastle is committed to delivering spaces that bring people together for active living and social connection.

Winney-Baartz noted "we're proud to have worked closely with the community and sporting groups to improve this 56,000 sqm park.

"This project contained a significant scope of works. Drainage improvements include 13 new stormwater pits, more than 330 metres of stormwater lines and more than five kilometres of subsoil drainage lines.

"Irrigation upgrades feature a new pump station, two water tanks and more than 3.7 kilometres of irrigation lines with sprinklers for watering.”

The upgrade was delivered by City of Newcastle with support from a $2.56 million grant secured by the Newcastle Junior Cricket Association through the NSW Government's Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund.

Newcastle Junior Cricket President Andrew Cornwell thanked the NSW Government and City of Newcastle for delivering this much-needed upgrade and added "Smith Park will now provide a first-class hub for our junior cricketers and will support the growth of cricket into the future.

"Our cricketers will now have access to quality grounds that will be more resilient to wet weather and drought.

"The project is a great example of what can be achieved when sporting codes work together with Council."

Smith Park isn't the only popular park receiving an upgrade, with City of Newcastle also installing a new irrigation system at Wallsend Oval One and Two.

The improvements are being delivered by City of Newcastle in collaboration with Wallsend District Cricket Club, which successfully secured a grant from the Federal Government under the Investing in Our Communities Program.

The project also includes the installation of irrigation tanks and pump shed infrastructure, with the works likely to be completed in June.