[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″ offset=”vc_col-lg-1/5 vc_col-md-1/5 vc_col-xs-1/5″][us_image image=”81825″ size=”thumbnail” align=”left” style=”circle” has_ratio=”1″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4/5 vc_col-md-4/5 vc_col-xs-4/5″][vc_column_text]By Annette Madjarian[/vc_column_text][us_post_date][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Australian cricket legend Mark Taylor AO opened his namesake multi-million-dollar indoor cricket centre recently.
The $3.5 million centre at Waitara is the first of its kind locally, and will be used by men’s and women’s cricket teams for all weather training and specialist coaching. It will also be used by all abilities programs, including for people with a disability.
The centre is the second stage of a major upgrade of the oval to improve sports and community facilities. In 2019, the NSW Government gave Hornsby Council and the Northern District Cricket Club $9 million to upgrade the facilities at Waitara Park.
Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia contributed $200,000 to the indoor cricket centre and Council contributed funds towards the oval upgrade to increase its capacity for use by the wider community.
Northern District Cricket Club President Jeremy Hook said it was the club’s goal to develop the next Mark Taylor cricketer from emerging male and female playing ranks. The facility was home to the great batsman in his junior years.
Hornsby Council reopened the oval in December after completing a raft of Stage One works including improving the oval playing surface, installation of new irrigation and drainage, and the construction of a 3m high lightweight safety netting around part of the northern, eastern and western boundaries.
Stage Three works will include an upgraded off-field supporting infrastructure to accommodate the needs of women, girls and people with a disability by improving the change rooms, access and amenities in the pavilion. While some remaining grant money is available for this stage, additional funding is being sought by the club and Council to complete the project.
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