A new mural depicting unity and our local sporting history has been installed at the recently redeveloped Woy Woy Oval.

From Wednesday 14 December, passers-by and spectators visiting the Oval can expect to see the eye-catching community project, which has taken more than eight months to produce and over six weeks to construct.

Measuring 36 metres long and three metres high, the installation is made up of 24 colour printed steel panels that, when constructed, feature a pelican symbol surrounded by approximately 100 original photographs of the Peninsula’s sport culture over the past 65 years.

In February 2016, more than 1,200 primary school children from Woy Woy Public School, Umina Beach Public School and St John the Baptist Catholic School united on Woy Woy Oval to create the pelican symbol. American artist Daniel Dancer sketched the pelican on the grass, outlining where the children had to pose, and photographed the image from a 25 metre high cherry picker. Local graphic designer, Katherine Close, was also commissioned to create the final artwork.

The sporting images were collected over six months through interviews with local sport personalities, as well as through sporting organisations, Council’s Woy Woy Library, and from the general public.

Central Coast Council’s Administrator, Ian Reynolds, said the decision to install the mural in Woy Woy was an important one and further enhances the area.

“Following Council’s recent investment into the $8.25 million redevelopment of Woy Woy Oval, it made sense to utilise this fantastic sporting arena and share the mural with the community,” said Mr Reynolds.

Council’s Unit Manager of Leisure and Lifestyle, Phil Cantillon, said the new installation is dedicated to the community.

“The aim of this artwork was to stand as an overarching symbol of unity, the pelican, and history of the 100 pictures of local sport,” said Mr Cantillon.

“The sporting community are a strong and vital part of the Peninsula community.

“We wanted the installation to encapsulate the regular gathering of sporting teams and the community that occur throughout the year.

“The pelican was chosen to symbolise unity as they fly, feed and converge in groups all over the Coast’s foreshores, in the same way that our community unites in sporting arenas, like Woy Woy Oval, to watch or participate in a variety of sporting activities.”

The installation will be fixed at Woy Woy Oval for a minimum period of five years.