Feedback sought on proposed Regional Athletics Centre for Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour City Council is seeking community feedback on a proposed Regional Athletics Centre at York Street Oval in Coffs Harbour.

Council’s Group Leader City Prosperity, Nikki Greenwood advised “the athletics community have been campaigning for this facility for some time and it is potentially a very exciting project -a new Regional Athletics Centre in the city will not just benefit the surrounding area, but the whole North Coast Region.

“People of all ages and abilities – including local athletes, local residents, and the wider community – will also be able to enjoy the facilities all year round.”

In July 2019 Council began work to investigate a Regional Athletics Centre and engaged Xypher Consulting to undertake a site selection investigation for appropriate sites. There are a number of essential considerations in planning for a Regional Athletics Centre, including:

• The size of the site to fit the development

• Site conditions (a synthetic track cannot be developed within a flood prone area)

• Location and accessibility to user groups and the community

• Construction method and cost

• Alignment to NSW Office of Sport Regional Sports Hub Model. 

Two possible sites for the Centre – York St Oval and Bruce Barnier Oval within the Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park – were investigated as part of site selection process and York Street was identified as providing the best interim and long term solution for athletics and had the best opportunities for colocation with the existing users (football). 

York Street Oval offers a larger footprint and would not impact the ability of the city to continue to host major field-based events at the Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park that make a significant contribution to the visitor economy.

The Centre would include a permanent, international standard, 400 metre multi-lane, all-weather synthetic track and field facility. The project could be staged, subject to funding and an agreed colocation plan.

Greenwood added “we are now inviting feedback from the public on the proposed Regional Athletics Centre, the location, benefits and other factors Council should be considering in planning for a Regional Athletics Centre for Coffs Harbour.”

Submissions can be made – and more information found – on Council’s Have Your Say website.

Submissions close on Friday, 23rd October 2020.