The Hilltops’ growing status as a regional sporting hub will receive a boost next week, with a number of high profile sportspeople to be on hand for the official sod-turning of Council’s new sports and function centre development at the Boorowa Showground.
NRL identities Ricky Stuart and Mal Meninga, along with the Canberra Raiders CEO and Board will join Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram and other dignitaries – including the State Member for Goulburn Pru Goward and the Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack – on Friday 20 October for the launch of the development’s construction, which Mayor Ingram said when complete, will be a drawcard for regional sporting events.
“The new sports and function centre at the Boorowa Showground promises to be a state-of-the-art facility. The two-storey building will house amenities, storage areas and a canteen on the ground level, with a function area on the first floor featuring a bar, along with viewing and lounge areas,” Mayor Ingram said.
“The project forms the centrepiece of the Boorowa Showground Masterplan which aims to consolidate, rationalise and improve on existing facilities.
“Boorowa already has a reputation as somewhat of a sporting hub in the region; the annual ‘Touch Football & Netball Carnival’ – which is taking place on the same day – is the perfect example of this. Thousands descend on Boorowa for this competition, and the new facility will certainly enhance this event, along with many other sporting club meetings, functions and events down the track,” he said.
Mayor Ingram said a Canberra Raiders Board Meeting, scheduled to be held in Boorowa earlier in the day, also reflects the growing prominence of the Hilltops Region within the wider Canberra Region and beyond.
“Like us, the Canberra District Rugby League Club (CDRL) view the Hilltops Region as part of the bigger picture in terms of social and economic development. The CDRL is currently developing plans to build a Centre of Excellence in Canberra that would certainly benefit young athletes in our area who so often have to move away to pursue their sporting ambitions,” Mayor Ingram said.
“Such a centre would also help develop our broader economic and development agenda given it would be another first-class facility right on our doorstep, so Hilltops Council will certainly be lending our support to the project – together with the Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CBRJO) – and pushing for cross-border funding to get it over the line so to speak,” he said.
MEDIA RELEASE - Hilltops Council - Authorised by Hilltops Council Mayor Brian Ingram
