Hillgrove has two new synthetic grass multisport courts, officially opened for play last weekend.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall joined the local community, Progress Association members and Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland on Saturday morning to perform the honours, cutting the ribbon on the $337,878 project, funded by the former State Government.
“The former overgrown and disused clay courts have been transformed into an exciting synthetic-grass community hub for tennis, basketball, netball and even lawn bowls,” Mr Marshall said.
“The new courts have already had a lot of use and will no doubt be very popular with the growing number of young families in the district.
“Congratulations to Hillgrove Progress Association President Noel Waters and Secretary Louise Kelly, who personally drove this project – it is an exciting time for Hillgrove!
“I’m so pleased to see these first-class facilities here in Hillgrove, as every community, regardless of size or location, deserves to have quality recreational facilities for locals to enjoy and be active.”
Hillgrove Progress Association Secretary Louise Kelly said the courts were already being well used by locals.
“People have been using the courts frequently since the day the construction fence came down with over 100 visitors to the court recorded so far,” Ms Kelly said.
Hillgrove Progress Association President Noel Waters said the funding was designed to increase the participation of women in sports.
“The numbers we have seen bear this out with about 43 per cent of adult participation in play on the course have been women, so far,” Mr Waters said.
“One attendee at the opening said she had signed up for a netball team in town and was frequently using the new courts to practice – this is exactly the type of response the funding was targeted for.”
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