Shoalhaven Needs Sporting Chance
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday October 11, 2005
I'VE been in North Nowra since 1983 and in this time various sporting bodies, council officers and the town planning department have suggested at least 10 sites for a major Shoalhaven sports stadium.
All have failed to materialise. I want this stadium for people from Eurobodalla, the Southern Highlands, South Coast and Shoalhaven. The time has arrived where we have reached the point of critical mass, in terms of population and opportunity for our youth, where any further delays will result in it being impossible to establish these facilities for maximum community benefit.The delay in implementing engineering systems concerns me, but the real cost is the opportunities lost in our youth in developing aspirations to achieve on a higher plain.Representative sport in the Shoalhaven has failed to keep up with other localities of similar population and lifestyle. Any area that considers its regional stadium or representative players a financial burden has its priorities wrong. Correctly developed, they should provide a wealth of enjoyment and entertainment for every sports-lover. They also could be an economic driver. The various councils, boards and committees of Nowra, in particular, have had 100-plus years to establish a major stadium. The Shoalhaven Campus is my preferred site.My vision for sports grounds in Nowra/Bomaderry are: Shoalhaven Sports Stadium with 5000-seat grandstand, media centre and corporate boxes, and student accommodation; Football Complex South Nowra - football; Rugby Park South Nowra - rugby union, cricket, touch; Nowra Showground - league, cricket, Australian Rules; Lyrebird Park - Nowra rugby league, cricket, touch; Bomaderry Complex - Bomaderry rugby league, cricket, touch; Bernie Regan Complex - multi-use facility; Moss Vale Rd, Cambewarra - Shoalhaven Rugby League Club headquarters and oval. - R G ALLEN, Bangalee.
© 2005 Illawarra Mercury
