With the winter sports done for the year and summer just around the corner, Kiama Municipal Council is working hard to keep local grounds in tip-top condition.
The largest project that has recently been undertaken is the drainage upgrade at Gainsborough Oval.
After receiving a grant from the NSW Office of Sport, construction works were completed to improve oval drainage and usability with a new subsoil drainage system and synthetic surface cricket pitch installed.
Last month, Council staff laid turf and topdressing is taking place this week with the ground set to reopen in the first week of November.
Kiama Sports Complex and Kevin Walsh Oval in Jamberoo were aerated last month, followed by light topdressing with both venues available for the start of the senior cricket season this Saturday (10 October).
Kiama Showground and the neighbouring Chittick Oval were also aerated recently with heavy topdressing to take place in mid-October.
Both grounds will be unavailable until 10 January so that they are ready for the 2027 Kiama Show, which gets underway on 22 January.
"Our Council staff take great pride in the high standards they've set for themselves in maintaining our local sporting grounds," Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said.
"Several sports use these facilities and hopefully we can keep increasing participation rates while also unearthing a few stars of tomorrow."
New subsoil drainage systems were implemented in Gerringong's Gerry Emery Reserve and Athol Noble Oval earlier this year.
Council is partnering with Gerringong Rugby League Football Club to upgrade drainage at Michael Cronin Oval to have the work completed and the field re-established before the start of the 2027 season.
Michael Cronin Oval will be closed until further notice.
