Orange’s new sport stadium to be named after former Mayor

Orange City Council has announced that the new main stadium at the Orange sports precinct will be named after former Mayor, John Davis.

Last night’s Council meeting, the last of the current term, supported a motion from Mayor Jason Hamling to name the new structure - due to be completed in 2026 - as the ‘John Davis Stadium.’

The meeting heard that Mayor Davis, who died in October last year, was a life-long sports fan, as well as a rugby league player and coach in his younger years.

He served more than 30 years on local Councils, in Blayney and Orange, before he retired in 2017.

The Davis family today welcomed news of the Council decision, releasing a statement that advised “we were very honoured and proud to hear that the new Stadium would be named after our wonderful John.

“We would like to thank all the Councillors for supporting Mayor Jason Hamling’s proposal.”

“John would have been surprised, incredibly proud and probably a little embarrassed.”

New name for new change rooms
The Council has also announced that soon to be completed new change rooms at Jack Brabham Park will be named after a stalwart of the Orange and District Football Association (ODFA).

Last night’s Council meeting decided that the new Change Rooms would be named the ‘Brett Hazzard Change Rooms’.

The purpose-built amenities block are the latest dedicated female changerooms to be built in Orange, with the aim of encouraging women’s sport.

The building includes:

• Changerooms, showers and toilets for two teams

• A referees’ room with two showers and toilets

• A dedicated first aid room

• An accessible bathroom

Funding for the project was shared between the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities program ($500,000) and Orange City Council ($290,000).

Last night’s meeting heard Council had asked the Orange & District Football Association for suggestions for a name for the new facility.

In a letter the ODFA said had Hazzard had volunteered for more than 25 years and had been a driving force behind women’s football in Orange.

Currently the Orange open women’s competition has nine teams, and around 260 female players are registered.

Images: A concept of the stadium at the new Orange sports precinct, to be named as the John Davis Stadium (top) and the soon-to-open amenities block at the city's Jack Brabham Park (below). Credit: Orange City Council.