The 2012 masterplan for Wade Park was sent back to the drawing board last year after the Friends of Wade Park group formed to request additional measures.

An expansion to the grandstand upgrades could include seating for 1000 patrons, disabled access and changeroom upgrades to comply with national football and cricket standards.

However, consultant Ross Planning warned upgrades purely targeting elite rugby league games were not cost effective.

“[They] will most likely have a negative impact on other uses,” the report said.

“The proposed improvements will raise Wade Park to a true regional sporting facility, but council needs to be mindful it does not have to be perfect for every sport.”

Councillor Kevin Duffy was involved in forming the Friends of Wade Park and said the measures would make a difference.

“But we should be aiming for a 2000-3000-seat grandstand - we have to have the product before the big games will come,” he said. 

Orange District Cricket Association secretary Peter Jarick said the changes would be a positive for cricket.

“Basically if the indoor [training] facility gets the green light from NSW Cricket, they’ll give us a content program which could include Sheffield Shield and women’s Big Bash,” he said.

“I think [the rectangular sporting complex] will happen and there’s no point restructuring the whole ground.”

Orange CYMS president Ray Agland also welcomed the changes, but was concerned sporting codes would compete to use the field, while Orange Hawks senior vice-president Jake Hurford said the benefits seemed to benefit cricket more than rugby league and Orange had not rated a mention for larger events.

“We should be looking at removing the cricket pitch off the football field because it’s too unpredictable. Places like Mudgee and Dubbo have purpose-built fields,” he said.

Councillors will consider tonight whether to place the draft changes on public exhibition.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au