A $3.2 million upgrade of Picton Sportsground hasn’t just delivered better sport facilities.
Yes, there are now new home and away change rooms, a club room, improvements to the existing canteen, storage, referees’ rooms, a first aid room, an outdoor barbecue area and spectator seating.
In fact, the amenities building is now three times the size of the original building.
But the upgrade has also created space for emergency services, as Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould explained at the official opening on the weekend.
“Importantly, the Federal Government funding under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant has contributed by providing space for emergency crews to do their important work during disasters,’’ he said.
“As you may remember, Picton Sportsground was used during the Green Wattle fire in 2019/20 for aircraft to come and go and pilots to refuel and rest.
“This is a great time to acknowledge the work the Rural Fire Service and other emergency services do year in and year out to keep our community safe.”
Picton Rangers Football Club secured grant funding for the Wollondilly Shire Council facility upgrade.
Mayor Gould expressed his gratitude to Andrew Merchant from Picton Rangers Football Club for securing the grants through the 2019 sports election commitment program with the NSW Office of Sport and the Black Summer bushfire recovery grant through the Commonwealth Government’s department of industry, science, energy and resources.
“Projects such as this just wouldn’t happen without extra funding, so a huge thanks to Picton Rangers and the Australian and NSW Governments for their contribution,’’ he said.
“I’m excited to see this popular facility now complete and open for use by Picton Rangers Football Club, Southwest Oztag and Tahmoor District Cricket Club.”
