With final beautification works only remaining to be done the first ball is set to be bowled at Orange's long awaited cricket centre of excellence.
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The Carl Sharpe Cricket Centre at Wade Park is set to open in the next few weeks.
Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd said interior painting and external eartworks remained to be done.
There is no doubt we would like it to have it open before Christmas.
- Cr Reg Kidd, Orange mayor
"There is no doubt we would like it to have it open before Christmas," he said.
Cr Kidd said he expected the official opening would occur in early December.
Orange City Council was told at this week's meeting they were awaiting confirmation of a suitable date for a state government politician to open the building.
Cr Kidd said there were big plans for the centre.
He said it was possible the facility could be used by a men's or women's Big Bash League side.
"Anything is open to discussion," he said.
While those teams are largely based in capital cities COVID-19 had presented new circumstances for major sporting teams.
"[Look at] Melbourne Storm, they were on the Gold Coast," he said.
Cr Kidd said it would also suit a combined country NSW team and cricket carnivals.
The $3.4 million building will boast four training nets, two change rooms, bar and canteen facilities plus a meeting room and an administration office for Cricket NSW officials.
The centre of excellence is on the site of the former greyhound track building.
RAIDER RECEPTION
Former Orange rugby league player, now NRL and NSW State of Origin star, Jack Wighton, will be given a civic reception by Orange City Council.
Council this week approved the reception.
It was told the last civic reception provided for a sports star was for Tenpin bowling superstar Jason Belmonte.
Mr Wighton was born in Orange and played junior football for Orange CYMS and Bloomfield Tigers before being signed by the Canberra Raiders.
Cr Kevin Duffy said Mr Wighton "absolutely deserves" the reception.
"It was very pleasing to see him, [say] on numerous occasions on television, how much he enjoyed playing and representing the district, the city of Orange, and especially welcoming other players from Orange to play against and within the Canberra club," he said.
Councillors will also consider receptions for other sporting stars.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
