Lake Cathie Public School principal Jock Garven says new sporting fields will help put the area on the map, service the region's growing population and connect young children with a variety of community groups.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Rainbow Beach Sports Fields development was allocated over $6 million in the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Operational Plan.
The funding allocation includes the acquisition of land cost, reconstruction works and district facilities.
Over the past few months there have been meetings regarding the new sporting facilities attended by representatives from sports including rugby, soccer, cricket, AFL, netball and baseball. Staff from council also attended.
The meetings were held to discuss potential cohabitation, organisation of the fields and its associated facilities.
Mr Garven said community groups and children will be able to use the fields at any time of the day to train for their preferred sport. The fields will be located adjacent to the Lake Cathie Public School.
He said it will benefit children at the school by taking them away from screen time and into an activity where they can thrive.
The new sporting fields will complement the school's existing sport facilities, such as the basketball court.
Mr Garven said initial planning suggests the school's sporting activities and those of various community groups can coexist very well.
The fields are also likely to attract attention of sports gala organisers locally and on a regional or state scale.
Mr Garven has received overwhelming positive feedback for the project from members of the school community and sporting groups.
"It's helping to set up Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills well into the future, for recreation and sport to suit all age groups," he said.
Mr Garven congratulated council on taking the initiative to support the active lifestyles of residents.
Lake Cathie Public School student Freya Briggs is a Lake Cathie Raiders player and hopes to one day play for the Newcastle Jets.
She trains everyday and can't wait to use the new sports fields once they are complete.
Ekana Pemberton is the goal keeper for his Lake Cathie Raiders team and said he loves the sport.
A council spokesperson said detailed design is now underway and the construction scope will be confirmed when the plan is complete.
Funding from the operational plan has also been allocated for a $150,000 upgrade of Kendall Sports Ground and $560,000 for the Laurieton Sports Complex.