It cost $1.4 million, half of it ratepayers’ money, but at the official opening of the Lynwood Park synthetic turf this morning, Campbelltown Mayor Paul Hawker declared it had all been worth it.
Indeed the biggest cheer from the Macarthur Rams faithful came when Cr Hawker opened his official speech by declaring that Lynwood Park was the only local ground available for play today across the local government area of Campbelltown.
More than that, said the mayor, the Macarthur Football Association would now be able to use the field at Lynwood Park for up to 60 hours of play, compared with the 20 hours when natural turf covered the playing area.
“It will also assist the Rams to play in higher levels of competition all year round,’’ Cr Hawker said.
“Lynwood Park is now one of our city’s premier sporting facilities.’’
A large gathering of football players young and old, parents, officials, coaches and supporters attended this morning’s ceremony.
A gala day had been organised which would include games of football on the $1.4 million artificial surface.
The cost of the project was shared by Campbelltown Council, who put in $700,000, the federal government with $500,000 and the local association chipping in the remaining $200,000.
The mayor praised the federal member for Macarthur and former councillor Russell Matheson, who had been instrumental in helping to get the financial support of Canberra.
“Without Russell’s involvement in this project we would not be here today,’’ Cr Hawker said.
Mr Matheson also spoke and he said it was “a real good day at the office for me’’.
“This really is a state of the art facility – congratulations to all involved.’’
