It usually hosts clashes between big boofy blokes in the NRL but from this year Campbelltown Sport Stadium will also become the home of the annual Christmas Carols.
Campbelltown Council recently supported a proposal to relocate the Christmas Carols from the Campbelltown Arts Centre, where it has been held for 10 years since 2005.
Council is hoping the move will help grow the event into one of regional significance.
In its current location, the growth of the event is limited to an estimated crowd of 3,000 people due to space constraints and parking restrictions.
The Carols is held traditionally on the first Saturday of December and it marks the beginning of Christmas celebrations across the Macarthur region.
Interested members of the community are invited to participate, with auditions held prior to the event to determine song choice and line up.
The performers are supported by a six piece band and a backing vocalist.
The event is supported by the Rotary Clubs of Campbelltown and Macarthur Sunrise.
The report said that Campbelltown Council had been approached by Tabcorp Park Menangle earlier this year, with a suggestion of relocating the Christmas Carols to their venue.
Tabcorp Park Menangle proposed that council host the carols event in its current format, in the middle of the racecourse, with some changes.
With the stage at one end, people could then sit in front of the stage and vehicles could be parked at the other end of the grassed area, according to the Tabcorp plan for Christmas Carols at Menangle raceway.
Food stalls could line one side of the event, including a charity fundraising community barbecue.
As part of the change, it was suggested that the event start at 4pm and include a ‘family fun day’ element such as rides/jumping castles and face painting, before the carols start at 6pm.
The report said Campbelltown Sports Stadium had also been presented as an alternative location to host the event.
“The stadium is one of NSW’s premier sporting facilities with ample car parking and convenient public transport at the venue,’’ the report said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Offering infrastructure such as lighting, toilets, a canteen and some sheltered seating, the stadium provides an ideal location to grow the carols into a future regional event, and an alternative to other large production carols events in Sydney.’’[/social_quote]
The event will take place on the grassed area of the stadium, with the stage facing the western grandstand.
The report said that people attending could seat in the western grandstand or on the grassed area, allowing for some cover or more a relaxed seating style for those who bring picnic blankets or chairs.
The playing surface would not be adversely affected by holding the carols at the stadium, the report said.
Council was told that holding Christmas Carols in the stadium would also cost less.
“Any savings could be put back into the event to provide more entertainment, activities or fireworks.’’
And there would not be a need for road closures as is currently the case when the Carols are held in the arts centre.
Might as well use it for something