A $2.2 million indoor cricket academy, with funding from various sources, was announced last October.

However, following input from user-groups at Wade Park the plans have been updated.

The stand would be built as part of stage two of the project to sit alongside the existing grandstand.

A kiosk would be constructed in the new structure in stage one to replace the canteen in the current grandstand.

Orange City Council’s sport and recreation committee chair Cr Jason Hamling said solid progress had been made on the facility – heralded as a first for regional NSW.

“Some preliminary work needs to be done before the development application can be lodged in the coming months,” Cr Hamling said.

“What’s being built is a 40 metres by 40 metre square building on the southern side of the grandstand, between the oval and the Lords Place side fence.”

He said the centre design would use a template for an indoor sports centre that had been used in other areas.

“Within those plans there’s been opportunities to fine-tune it to add to the mix of facilities on offer at Wade Park.”

Cr Hamling said funding was available for stage one but more was needed for further developments including the new grandstand.

“There’s $2.15 million worth of funding available for the main structure, but the cost of building these extras will need to be staged over a number of years and costed in future budgets.

“The proposal is for stage one to include a new kiosk to replace the current facility downstairs in the grandstand.

“Stage two would include a proposal for a new grandstand area with seating for around 400 people.”

The council will provide $700,000 for the project with the state government offering $1 million.

The rest is to be provided by Cricket NSW, Cricket Australia and a local government grant to the Orange District Junior Cricket Association.

The indoor facility would include two multi-purpose courts for cricket, netball and futsal, four high-performance cricket lanes, change rooms, the kiosk, office space and a viewing area across Wade Park.