If you’re reading this in your green and gold V-necks at Kelly’s Hotel, you’re probably feeling all warm and fuzzy.

The green and golds just completed the first stage of what is a planned redevelopment of training and playing facilities at the club’s spiritual home, Norton Park, which is on the grounds at James Sheahan Catholic High School.

The club, along with the Orange District Junior Cricket Association, split the costs on a new $14,500 synthetic playing pitch.

This Saturday, CYMS Gold versus CYMS Green, in the under 14s, will be the first competitive match played on that new deck.

“And to top it off, I think I’m umpiring,” CYMS senior president Gerard Hannelly laughed.

“It’s great though, especially for some of our older members and life members.

“It’s been 15 years since cricket’s been played on this oval, for those guys to say CYMS have got their home ground back, this has always been the spiritual home of CYMS cricket, those guys are really looking forward to seeing all of our cricketers out here running around.”

David Cumming, the Orange District Junior Cricket Association president, said his association was more than happy to stump up half of the money for the pitch.

The ODJCA used some of the funds it makes from its annual junior cricket carnivals to help cover the costs.

“It allows us to have another oval and another pitch we can use,” Cumming said.

“And we’re happy to invest in ovals such as this that are full size and can grow to be used by seniors.

“With the money we make from the January carnivals we’re investing into the likes of this.

“This was an easy one. CYMS forked out the other half of the money, we can use it all season, as an alternate ground in the January carnivals. It’s a no-brainer for us.”

Cumming said Orange City Council also helps with the construction of new synthetic wickets across the town.

For every pitch the ODJCA funds, councils puts another one in as well in a two-for-one type deal.

“Council is fantastic with cricket. They really look after us,” Cumming added.

Hannelly said the next step was a new training facility that housed the club’s new nets.

Both Sheahan and the Bathurst diocese have been supportive of the venture.

“They’ve been fantastic,” Hannelly said. “We’ve got a lot more in store.”