It was NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian who first announced an allocation of $25 million in funding for much-wanted North Orange sporting precinct during the state election campaign.
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The fact that she couched her pledge on the condition that the Orange electorate vote for her Coalition's candidate NSW Nationals' Kate Hazelton, was something she may have come to regret.
Not only was it very poorly received by Orange residents it also received national scrutiny with plenty unhappy the Orange electoral was offered what looked like a very large bribe at a crucial time in the election cycle.
Once the election dust has settled, and Orange's voters returned Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party incumbent MP Phil Donato to office with a drastically increased majority, the stadium question remained a very large question mark.
After years of sitting by and watching other cities and towns host major sporting events Orange will now be able to attract top-notch carnivals and games.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro joined the push for votes and suggested, in line with his boss, that not voting for his party was putting this precinct funding at risk telling voters "that's the risk the voters of Orange will have to take".
Despite evidence that this was funding the Orange community needed and wanted, Ms Berejiklian chose to use it as a carrot rather than to prove her new government's funding was to be based on need.
Eventually Ms Berejiklian realised her tactical error and conceded the funding anyway.
Tuesday's budget news will no doubt be well-received by Orange residents.
After years of sitting by and watching other cities and towns host major sporting events Orange will now be able to attract top-notch carnivals and games.
The city will be able to offer sports fans from all over the nation the sort of amenities they now take for granted.
Plans for the long sought-after facility include an AFL, cricket and multipurpose oval; an athletic field and track with covered, tiered seating; and a main rugby union/league field with a 1500-seat grandstand and seating mounds, with a total capacity for 8500.
It's time for us to all work together with Orange City Council, including council's sport and recreation committee chair Jason Hamling (left), and ensure we build a fantastic facility we can all be proud of for many years to come.
It took a while to get here, but in the end the NSW government delivered.
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