Harold Gregson Reserve in Central Maitland will be transformed into an expansive and exciting youth and events space in a $7 million project delivered by Maitland City Council in partnership with the NSW Government.
Kids of all ages are the big winners from the project, with a brand-new playspace, full-sized basketball and multipurpose court, parkour equipment, and an upgraded skate park on the way to Harold Gregson Reserve.
An events lawn and amphitheatre, an amenities block, large picnic shelter, RV parking, public electric vehicle charging and new parking and shade for the existing offroad remote control track are among the other features on the way thanks to the $7 million project.
Positive environmental outcomes are a priority of these works, with the planting of large legacy trees like figs to provide deep shade and improve canopy cover, mitigating urban heat, in the area for generations to come.
The site has also been identified by council as one which will be targeted for further revegetation in the future.
The fourth and final stage of the Maitland Regional Sports Complex, this project’s proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Maitland City Council, with $3 million in funding from NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program and $2,708,640 from Resources for Regions Round 9. Council has contributed a further $1.2 million.
Speaking at a sod turning ceremony with Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Taylor Martin, Mayor Philip Penfold celebrated the recreation area as the incredible final stage of almost a decade of works at the site.
“We’ve watched over the past eight years as this site has developed from a humble sportsground and grass running track into the much loved, modern Maitland Regional Sports Complex that we now know, and to see this final stage of works get underway is fantastic,” Mayor Penfold said.
