The Hills' newest sporting complex, Balmoral Road Reserve, was officially opened by the NSW Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes, the Hon. Anthony Roberts MP and the Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Peter Gangemi on Friday, July 22.
They were also joined by residents and representatives from sporting teams - including Hawkesbury Cricket Club, Hills Football Association, Kellyville Supersonics Cricket Club, Kellyville/Rouse Hill Junior Football Club and Baulkham Hills Hawks Junior AFL Club - who have been allocated grounds to train and play on during the upcoming summer and winter seasons.
Minister Roberts said it was wonderful to see the Reserve go from a plan on paper to a reality, thanks to a funding boost from the NSW Government's Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
The AIF assists councils in co-funding and accelerating the delivery of critical local community infrastructure, including roads, stormwater infrastructure and public open space, while also providing jobs and boosting the economy in the process.
"Providing high-quality outdoor spaces is a priority for the NSW Government and Balmoral Road Reserve is great example of what can be achieved when we work in collaboration with councils to create assets that communities really want and need," Minister Roberts said.
"By funding these types of projects, we're helping ensure that the places people increasingly want to live – like The Hills Shire – are supported by the right infrastructure."
The Reserve caters for a number of sports and features some exciting elements, including tennis and multi-use ball courts, as well as multi-purpose fields, which can be used for AFL, soccer and cricket.
There's also three impressive buildings located onsite, which service different fields and the tennis courts. The central building - located near the tennis courts - includes a club room, storeroom, referees room and public toilets.
A 245-space car park has been included as part of the overall build, as well as a kiosk. Shared pedestrian/cycling paths with lighting feature in and around the Reserve and link to the bigger Greenway cycle link, between Bella Vista Farm and Rouse Hill Town Centre.
Mayor Gangemi said the complex will provide fantastic opportunities for sporting participation and outdoor recreation.
"Balmoral Road Reserve has been hotly anticipated by the Hills community and we are very excited to deliver it for them," he said.
"It will provide a place where our residents and sporting clubs can play and train, and families and friends can socialise and exercise. More importantly, it's a place where our residents and visitors will find enjoyment and have a whole lot of fun," Mayor Gangemi added.
Mayor Gangemi thanked the NSW Government for their support on this project.
"This is a fantastic outcome that has been achieved thanks to both State and Local Governments working together to deliver essential facilities that will benefit our community and grass roots sports," Mayor Gangemi said.
"The extra funding boost has enabled Council to deliver Balmoral Road Reserve ahead of schedule, and has also provided hundreds of jobs, which was incredibly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant we could keep people employed and contributing to the economy during this challenging time.
"I'm really proud of the outcome and I'm looking forward to seeing our community utilising this facility," Mayor Gangemi added.
