Shoalhaven City Council secures $8 million to upgrade Artie Smith Oval

Shoalhaven City Council has secured $8 million to upgrade Artie Smith Oval in Bomaderry to a state-level facility for AFL and cricket, with new croquet lawns and associated infrastructure.

The funding was delivered through Stage 1 of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments. The upgrade is part of Shoalhaven Community and Recreation Precinct (SCaRP) project in Bomaderry.

Council has allocated funding towards the delivery of this aspect of the project and to progress the planning and investigations for future stages of the broader SCaRP precinct.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley advised “Council is excited to be delivering an integrated community and recreational precinct for the Shoalhaven community. This project is part of a long-term plan for the next 40 years and is intended to meet the needs of a growing community now and into the future.

“The NSW Government funding will support the development of the southern section of the SCaRP Project being the Artie Smith Oval redevelopment, which will be upgraded to a state-level facility for AFL and cricket, with new croquet lawns and associated infrastructure.”

Council expects works to get underway late 2021 with the project expected to be completed by first half of 2023.

The new Artie Smith Oval will provide a state-level standard facility:

• New AFL/Cricket with 5 turf pitches, lighting, irrigation drainage, picket fencing electronic scoreboard, sight screens, and spectator seating/mounding

• AFL/Cricket Clubhouse and amenities

• Cricket Practice facility (4 X Synthetic pitches, 4 X turf pitches, storage shed)

• Four croquet courts

• Croquet clubhouse and amenities

• Onsite car parking

• Open space embellishments (pathways, landscaping, furniture, etc.)

• Perimeter security fencing

Visit Council’s Get Involved page for more information on the Shoalhaven Community and Recreational Precinct project.

Image: Artist impression of the Shoalhaven Community and Recreational Precinct