ORANGE City Council sport and recreation advisor Ben Keegan has revealed Wade Park’s scoreboard upgrade remains in limbo.
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After the debacle of the venue’s $350,000 redevelopment in 2011, in which the resurfacing of the ground went grossly over budget, plans to install a new scoreboard and white picket fence were scrapped, due to lack of funds.
While the picket fence was put back indefinitely, the installation of the scoreboard was re-scheduled until 2012.
It’s now 2014.
No new scoreboard.
“At this stage there is no allocation in the current management plan for the new scoreboard,” Mr Keegan said.
“We are in the stages of investigating the different technologies available for a new scoreboard, and a figure on the costing.”
Despite a new scoreboard at Wade Park being touted as necessary by several sporting organisations, including New South Wales Cricket, it seems the venue will still be waiting for some time for an upgrade.
It is now three years on from the original deadline and, despite Mr Keegan refusing to comment on the matter, speculation abounds the Wade Park upgrade depends entirely on Council’s decision regarding a purpose built, rectangular sporting complex.
“Wade Park will get a new scoreboard, we just don’t really know when,” Mr Keegan said.
“In regards to the rectangular venue, I’d prefer not to comment as it is not really my place to do so.
“Despite the fact we do need a new scoreboard, the current one is still functional and working, so there is not a lot of urgency in the matter.”
Orange District Cricket Association treasurer Dave Boundy clarified Mr Keegan’s comments regarding the scoreboards functionality, saying while the technology does work, it is temperamental.
“It definitely isn’t working properly,” he said.
“That was proven the other night when one of the team’s playing scored 103, but the scoreboard said 63. Sometimes the numbers simply don’t work.
“It, the picket fence and the sightscreens need to be put back on the council’s rader.”