Niagara Park Stadium is set to be transformed into a first-class sporting venue, with upgrade works underway to improve accessibility of the venue ahead of welcoming a full calendar year of regional and state championships. 

The venue will host major events featuring Netball NSW Regional League, Drill dance NSW State Titles, Northern NSW Futsal Regional Schools Championships, Australian Tai Chi Masters Tournament, Table tennis NSW Country Championships, Football NSW Regional Schools Knockout, Basketball NSW Country Championships, Basketball NSW NEJL Tournament, Netball NSW Premier League games, Australian Highland Dance Festival, Central Coast Crystal Festival and Table Tennis NSW City v Country.

The $2.8 million project has received $850,000 from the NSW Government Stronger Country Community Fund, with Council funding the remaining contribution of $1,950,000 from planned capital expenditure.

Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said funding for the upgrades is a fantastic outcome and one to celebrate. 
“Council undertook community consultation to inform the design and construction of the venue, which will result in an accessible modern facility, improving what was previously in place.

“Niagara Park Stadium is a regional indoor sporting complex, and its facilities are widely used by schools, local patrons, sporting clubs, regional and state junior sporting organisations. 

“The facility is primarily used for basketball, netball, roller hockey and many other indoor sports. More notably, it is one the largest wheelchair basketball facilities on the Central Coast,” Ms Smith said.

The upgrades, set to improve accessibility and deliver exciting benefits to players and fans, include:
-    Developing the existing dirt carpark to accommodate disabled parking  
-    A new driveway, pedestrian pathway and entrance 
-    Improvements to player facilities including new accessible amenities  
-    New signage, with improved façade

Council appointed the design development and construction contract to North Construction & Building Pty Ltd. Construction works are scheduled to commence 9 April with completion of all upgrades planned by 15 October 2024. There are no planned disruptions to the carparking area during construction. 

The existing driveway previously limited to deliveries will be closed during construction, along with the existing access pathway and entrance, temporarily diverted during construction via the bike path adjacent to school. Additionally, temporary amenities will be available during construction located near the forecourt area of the facility. 

“There may be some disruption to already scheduled events while the upgrades are going on, and we apologise for any inconvenience experienced. We look forward to patrons having the opportunity to enjoy the upgrades once complete,” Ms Smith said.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said the upgrades underway support the benefits of enabling people with disability to have choice and control on how they want to participate in sport. 

“Council is committed to supporting our venues, clubs and community spaces to adapt their facilities and equipment to become more accessible and inclusive for the community”, Mr Hart said. 

“There are 4.5 million Australians who have disability. That’s a lot of people who want to live an active, healthy lifestyle by either playing or participating in sport and so our facilities need to be inclusive and ready to embrace everyone.”