Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin turned the first sod on Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby’s new multi-sports facility over the weekend. 

Mr Hogan said with construction now underway the new clubhouse has been a long time coming, but a well-deserved upgrade.

“I’m excited to turn the sod on this fantastic multi-sports facility as this will create a venue that this community deserves,” Mr Hogan said.

“It will include a new covered spectator area, a function area for 200 people, a fully serviced kitchen to allow for self-catering, meeting rooms, storage area for individual clubs, bar and canteen facility, and outside catering area.”

“Congratulations to the committee and club members for your dedication to get to this stage.”

Mr Franklin said Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby Club has received over $1.2 million through a number of grant programs from the NSW Government, Australian Government and the Ballina Shire Council. 

“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to growing regional communities and economies by backing projects that promote a stronger Regional NSW,” Mr Franklin said. 

“This investment in Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby Club will deliver a much-needed facility for the community to enjoy.

“The Club has also done an exceptional job at fund raising over $509,000 which is an example of their dedication to completing this project.

“It is great to see the club and all levels of Government come together to make this vision for a new clubhouse come to fruition.”

Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby Club President Mick Kerry said they extremely proud of the sod turning ceremony to mark the commencement of the construction of their new clubhouse facility at the Wollongbar Sporting Fields.

“The commencement of construction is a result of ten plus years of planning and fund raising by our extremely hard-working voluntary Building Committee,” Mr Kerry said. 

“I would like to also acknowledge and thank both Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan and Minister Ben Franklin for their hard work and guidance in assisting our club to apply and gain Federal and State grant monies to contribute to funding the project.

“The new Clubhouse facility, when completed, will be a start of the art, home base that will set up our players, coaches, parents and supporters for long into the future and match the growing needs of our local community.”

Ballina Shire Council Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said it has been a journey to get to this point and the club has stayed committed to getting this outcome.

“To have separate facilities for women as well is so important for sporting community growth. It’s great that all levels of government have worked together to make this happen,” Ms Cadwallader said.