• Construction complete on amenities building at Umina Beach’s McEvoy Oval
• New modern facilities will support local sporting and community events
• The Federal Coalition Government invested $304,000 into this jointly funded project
Brand new facilities at McEvoy Oval, in Umina Beach on the NSW Central Coast were unveiled today after the completion of an $800,430 upgrade funded by Federal and NSW Coalition Governments and local sporting organisations.

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said the new building was an investment in grassroots sport for the region.

“These great new facilities will benefit both local sports and the greater community, promoting the growth of Umina Beach and the surrounding areas,” Minister Nash said.

“I aim to build the kinds of communities our children and grandchildren want to either stay in or come back to, and access to great sporting facilities does just that.”

Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks, a long-term supporter of the project, joined the community for the opening and said the new building included a clubroom, canteen, storage rooms, and male and female amenities.

“I’ve been hearing from many local families and organisations on the Peninsula about how the previous amenities building was run-down and unsafe – so it’s great to be able to open this new facility for Umina Beach,” Mrs Wicks said.

“Not only is McEvoy Oval home to over 1,500 sporting participants per year, it’s also used by local schools for carnivals and gala days. I’m thrilled that this upgrade is now complete, and commend all levels of Government and the hard-working community advocates who’ve made it possible.”

New South Wales Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said this significant joint investment will increase accessibility to the main athletics centre on the Peninsula and ensure it can cater for more teams and players from interstate.

“Local sport is the lifeblood of the Central Coast and this major investment has also provided an economic boost for the region by creating ten new jobs, five during construction alone.”
Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds said the amenities upgrade was a boost to local sporting clubs.

“The facility currently supports training and competition for Woy Woy Little Athletics, Peninsula Touch Association and Southern Spirit Cricket Club. Consequently, the field experiences high usage rates throughout the year,” Mr Reynolds said.

“A key component of the upgrade includes installation of a new irrigation system to encourage stronger turf establishment and growth. Improved growth results in faster rehabilitation of the playing surface, allowing greater useability of the oval.”

This project was jointly funded by the Coalition Government ($304,000), New South Wales Government ($225,000), Gosford City Council ($258,430), Woy Woy Peninsula Little Athletics ($4,000), Peninsula Touch Football Association ($6,000) and Southern Spirit Cricket Club ($3,000).