SOCIALISING and sport might be off the table for Orange's young people at the moment, but more than $600,000-worth of funding is set to boost activities once coronavirus restrictions lift.
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Nationals upper house member Sam Farraway handed over $612,212 - $275,592 on Wednesday morning to add two netball courts to Anzac Park to cater for existing players and future growth and $336,620 for an Orange Youth Hub drop-in centre, with programs designed in partnership with young people to suit their needs and those at risk.
"The current times, going through COVID-19, it's unchartered territory for governments," he said.
"But it's important to make sure we're working with community groups, working with councils to see ourselves through and to follow through the delivery of these projects to allow the quiet time we have right now to be best used to get on with the planning, to get their tenders out there and hopefully form an additional part of stimulus over the next six months."
Orange mayor Reg Kidd welcomed the funding.
They [might not have] a parent or guardian to drop them off - we can pick them up.
- Mayor Reg Kidd
"Netball is huge in Orange and it's just one of those sports that's been growing and growing and [we've been] extending it," he said.
Cr Kidd said the original Anzac Park facilities doubled those available at Moulder Park and the expansion was ready to proceed to tender.
Orange Netball Association president Jane Dennis said in the past, some junior games had to be shortened to fit them all in.
"We will be able to bring that back into meeting the Netball Australia rules, which will help develop our teams," she said.
"Only 10 years ago, we moved from half a dozen courts at Moulder Park, which was a bit cooler and dark in the winter months to four indoor courts and eight outdoor courts."
While the youth hub's location remained undecided, Cr Kidd anticipated the nearby PCYC building would be a contender.
He said the funding would cover a 12-seater bus to help young people get involved with activities.
"They may be in an area where they haven't got a parent or guardian to drop them off - we can pick them up and get them home safely."
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