Pictured moments before the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the opening of the new Clubhouse Facilities at Spicer Oval are from L-R is Central West Rugby chief executive officer Jarrod Simpson, Parkes Boars Clubman Allan Ryan, Parkes Mayor Ken Kieth OAM, Hon Michael McCormack MP, Mr Phil Donato MP, Allan Gersbach President of Parkes Shire Sports Council and The president of the Parkes Rugby Club Kevin Oliver
The Parkes Shire Council and Parkes Rugby, among other state, federal and local delegates, were on hand to officially open the new Spicer Oval amenities and clubhouse facility on Saturday the 29th of July.
The project received $900,000 from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program as well as $1,628,081 from the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program Round 7. Parkes Boars contributed $27,000 and local sporting grants were secured for $8,000, with the project totalling $2,677,000.
This facility gives Parkes Rugby a home ground facility for the first time in 12 years. Rugby has had no amenities building, no clubhouse and no lights to train under for more than a decade and thanks to a number of grants, they now have these facilities to support current and future users.The four changerooms also enables the club to adequately support female rugby players, a growing sport across the globe.
Mayor of Parkes Shire, Cr Ken Keith OAM, is thrilled with the new facility. “It is my pleasure to congratulate the Parkes Rugby Union Club on the realisation of their long-held dream of a club house and home base at Spicer Oval.
“I would like to acknowledge the Australian Government’s contribution through the LRCI Program and the State Government’s grant contribution through the Resources for Regions which have made this possible. Council is proud to support this project which will also benefit the cricket fraternity,” he added.
Allan Ryan of the Parkes Boars commented, “The club will now be able to host competition games with a clubhouse and facilities that we can be proud of. The club will be able to decorate the building with colour and memorabilia to celebrate the current and past history. The new facility boosts the club future with the facilities to host functions and tournaments.”
We spoke to Parkes Boars Rugby Club President Kevin Oliver and he said “It is an excellent facility, and it’s good to have somewhere to call home again”.
Boars first grade captain Ben Ryan, who has his own personal cheer squad, being his beautiful wife and children and parents, went on to say “It has been a long time coming and it is an incredible change for the club. We’ve got some great shelter now, it’s really made a big difference to the quality of life for the families coming down to the grounds.”
Standing at 48m x 15m in size, it hosts four changerooms, a function room and kitchen as well as room for 300 seats under cover to watch matches of both rugby and cricket. The facility is supported by a new car park as well as new lighting, most of which has been grant funded.
This project is proudly joint-funded by the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, Round 7 of the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program, Parkes Boars Rugby Union Club and Parkes Shire Council.
A magnificent aerial view of the brand new clubhouse facilities at Spicer Oval in Parkes.