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Hornsby Shire Council has advised that work has commenced on the new $3.5 million indoor cricket centre at Mark Taylor Oval, Waitara while Waverley Council has decided not to proceed with a new indoor cricket facility at Waverley Oval.

The first of its kind in the region, the indoor cricket centre at Mark Taylor Oval will be used by men, women’s cricket teams as well as junior representative cricketers, for all weather training and specialist coaching. This is the second stage of a major upgrade of the oval to improve sports and community facilities.

In March 2019, the NSW Government announced a $9 million funding commitment for Hornsby Shire Council and the Northern District Cricket Club to partner in upgrading sporting facilities at Waitara Park, which also includes the reconstruction of the oval playing surface and the construction of a new pavilion.

Supporting this project from the start, MP for Hornsby, Matt Kean notes “the investment in Mark Taylor Oval will ultimately give the local cricketers the best possible facilities and become a standard that could see Cricket Women’s International played in Hornsby, which is really exciting. This is the first stage to make Mark Taylor Oval the premier cricket facility for the whole of Northern Sydney.”

Hornsby Shire Mayor Philip Ruddock said the new indoor centre would be a major asset for community sport on Sydney’s upper north shore and added “Hornsby Shire Council recognises the importance of community sport to its residents, contributing to both their psychical and mental wellbeing. This unique new facility will service cricketers from across Hornsby Shire and beyond. Council appreciates the involvement of our project partners, the Northern District Cricket Club and the NSW Government, in this exciting second stage of the project.”

Jeremy Hook, President of the Northern District Cricket Club talked about the significance of the new facility to the cricket community and shared “the Indoor Centre will be a focal point for the enormous and talented cricket community that is based in the Hornsby Shire. Facilities such as this will help us in our goal to develop the next Mark Taylor cricketer amongst our emerging male and female playing ranks. We thank the NSW Government, Hornsby Council and Cricket NSW for their support throughout the project.”

Member for Ku-ring-gai, Alister Henskens said, “It is incredibly important that we continually improve our local sports infrastructure so as to encourage our boys, girls and adults to be active and healthy.”

Meanwhile, Waverley Council addressed Federal election campaign material arriving in residents’ letter boxes pledging $1 million for a new indoor cricket net facility at Waverley Oval.

Waverley Council stresses the decision it made at the March council meeting not to proceed with a new indoor cricket facility stands.

Late last year, Waverley Council consulted with the community about its draft Plan of Management (PoM) for Waverley Park including a new fitness station, playground and proposed indoor cricket training facility.

More than 4300 people engaged with their consultation through online workshops, surveys, social media, emails and posters around the park.

The indoor cricket training facility was the most debated part of the consultation. It was supported by Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club, however, was not broadly supported by the rest of the community.

Council took that feedback on board, and at the March 2022 Council meeting, unanimously resolved to not include provision for an indoor cricket net facility in the draft Waverley Park Plan of Management.

Council resolved to collaborate with Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club to address shortfalls in indoor training facilities, including consideration of appropriate existing facilities across the local government area. Council is continuing to work with Easts Cricket to identify alternative options.

Image top: Courtesy Hornsby Shire Council

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