A smaller, sleeker design for the proposed indoor cricket facility at Wade Park has been revealed.
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The amended plan, in a development application (DA) submitted to Orange City Council, also shows the building has been re-aligned to sit beside the grandstand rather than on an angle.
The chair of council’s sport and recreation committee Cr Jason Hamling said the smaller building would be “more effective.
“If we need to expand it later we can,” he said.
“It’s about needing an indoor cricket facility.
“It will make Wade Park the number one cricket facility west of the Blue Mountains.”
The height of the building has been cut from 10 metres to 6.5 metres.
And the DA states the overall size reduction has been achieved by eliminating two multi-purpose courts from the previous plan.
“The indoor stadium will consist of four indoor cricket nets at the western end of the building,” it said.
It is proposed the centre will open daily from 9am-10pm Monday-Saturday with reduced hours on Sundays.
“The centre will mainly be used for indoor cricket in the after-school hours,” it said.
It will involve the demolition of the greyhound racing pavilion and several trees.
It will make Wade Park the number one cricket facility west of the Blue Mountains.
- Cr Jason Hamling
Residents had raised concerns about noise levels with the previous design.
However, a noise level study in the DA states noise will not be an issue.
“Due to the results of the noise predictions it is concluded the proposed development is unlikely to cause any adverse noise impact,” it said.
No additional parking has been provided for the centre but the DA said that would not be an issue.
“While no formal parking is proposed as part of the development application the demand for parking can be absorbed in the existing informal parking in Wade Park and [on-street parking] in the surrounding roads,” it said.
A unique feature of the new design is graphics on the western side of the building showing famous local cricketers to recognise the historical importance of cricket at Wade Park.
Mayor Cr Reg Kidd said funding for the project was ready and work could start once approval was granted.
“I think it will be great,” he said.
The DA is on public exhibition until September 14.
Council staff will then consider any submissions before deciding whether to forward it to council for a ruling.
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