ORANGE'S mayor has hosed down concerns the $25 million promised for the multipurpose sporting complex might not come through, saying the money is guaranteed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bloomfield was voted the preferred site for the facility at Tuesday night's Orange City Council meeting, assuming Orange Ex-Services' Club decides to relinquish the lease over the golf course.
During debate, councillor Mario Previtera queried the need for a business case.
"Why are we spending money writing reports for money that's going to come to the council?" he said.
Mayor Reg Kidd said the funding had been confirmed several times and the council needed to show the facility would attract new events.
I would take the premier and deputy premier at their word in this case.
- Mayor Reg Kidd
"Not pinch them from somewhere else," he said.
"I would take the premier and deputy premier at their word in this case and if [they don't hand over the grant], I'll be the first one to scream blue murder."
Community services director Scott Maunder added the fund the money was coming from required a cost-benefit result of more than one, meaning the benefits needed to outweigh the cost.
After the meeting, Cr Kidd said the golf course had two road accesses, was close to the hospital and was already flat, which would cut construction costs.
"[The Northern Distributor Road site] is quite elevated," he said.
Concept designs have provided for up to six turf wicket cricket fields, six softball fields, four summer football fields, five rugby fields, 16 football fields and 20 touch football fields at Bloomfield.
By comparison, only four cricket fields, four softball fields, 13 multipurpose football fields, six AFL fields and 20 touch football fields would be provided at the NDR site.
With several mature trees at Bloomfield, Cr Kidd pointed out most were pines and not natives.
"In some cases, we can work around it, but in some case there's there's a reason why they have to go," he said.
He said if the Bloomfield proposal went ahead, the NDR site would be reviewed.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...