Waitara Park Precinct

July 2024

Grandstand Redevelopment

Following approval of a Development Application in April 2024, Council will be upgrading the existing Mark Taylor Oval grandstand.

The works will include:

• Demolition of the 1990’s grandstand extension (the half of the building closest to the PCYC)
• Interior refurbishment to the ground floor changerooms of the heritage grandstand to provide accessible facilities
• Conversion of the existing free standing public toilets to storage
• Construction of a new pavilion directly adjacent to the retained heritage grandstand which will include:
  • Canteen
  • Public toilets
  • Storage areas
  • Official’s changeroom
  • Club / community room
  • Scorer’s room

Funding for this project has been provided by a grant from the NSW Government.

Indoor Cricket Centre

Construction for the new Indoor Cricket Centre was completed in late December 2022, with a formal opening scheduled for 1 February 2023. The Indoor Cricket Centre contains 4 indoor wicket lanes and a viewing area to the outdoor cricket nets. The facility has bifold doors which enable ease of access to the outdoor cricket nets and the oval for extra-long run ups.

The Indoor Cricket Centre also includes a new groundman’s shed and an underground OSD and irrigation tank to water the oval turf.

Mark Taylor Oval Upgrade

In November 2022, Mark Taylor Oval was re-opened to the public after major construction works commenced in late 2021. The works included improving the oval playing surface, installation of new drainage and irrigation, and construction of a 3m high lightweight safety netting around part of the northern, eastern and western boundaries to assist in retaining balls within the oval and protecting other park users.

Cricket Wickets

In 2022 and 2023, NSW experienced a state-wide shortage of cricket wicket soil due to the La Nina wet weather event. This resulted in the oval being completed and opened for use without a central cricket wicket, or cricket practice nets.

In late 2023, cricket wicket soil became available and was installed in the central wicket (in December 2023) and the cricket practice nets (in March 2024). Both wickets will remain fenced off while the turf grows and establishes.

Tennis Courts

Construction of the Waitara Park Tennis Courts were completed in late 2017. The facilities include six new courts which also double up as a flood detention basin to help mitigate down-stream flooding issues.

• Tennis Courts Plans - 1MB

Amenities Building

In association with the Tennis Courts, construction of the new Amenities Building was also completed in August 2018.  This new facility, designed by Phillips-Marler architects, provides a new clubspace that supports the new courts (currently leased by the Kim Warwick Tennis Academy) as well as new public amenities.  This building has raised the bar in terms of sustainable design, and includes a 10,000ltr water harvesting tank, solar panels and generous roof overhangs to provide outdoor shade.  The building also includes a system of electronically controlled fans and louvres which assist natural ventilation to help to keep the building cool in summer, and avoid the need for air conditioning. The building has been designed to house a kiosk which will service the courts and new playground on the western side.

Waitara Park Inclusive Playground

Construction of the new inclusive playground was completed in 2019. Designed by Council and jointly funded by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, the new playground provides a variety of play equipment options to suit a broad range of ages and abilities.

The playground is fully fenced and also includes shade sails, seating, picnic shelters, barbeques and extensive garden beds with tree plantings. Accessible parking, a drop-off/pick-up point and tree plantings assist in allowing people to get to and stay in the playground.

Three new exercise stations were constructed on the north-eastern side of Mark Taylor Oval to complement the circuit footpath around the oval.

PCYC Facility

Construction was completed for a new PCYC facility in September 2017. This new facility includes:

• indoor courts for netball and basketball, exercise, dance, drama, boxing
• meeting rooms
• 87 underground car parking spaces
• appealing external open space for the community including terraces with hammocks, seats and outdoor table tennis.

Park Avenue

New drainage works in Park Avenue and additional car parking along the Waitara Park frontage on Park Avenue were completed in 2018.

• Park Avenue Plan of Works - 782kb