10 February 2021

Sports and recreation club at Googong takes big leap forward

| Michael Weaver
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John Barilaro, Tim Overall and Franca Jones

Member for Monaro John Barilaro with Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Mayor Tim Overall at the site of Googong Sport and Recreation Club with club secretary Franca Jones. Photo: Supplied.

The growth of Googong will soon take another step when construction begins on the Googong Sport and Recreation Club, which will provide a major hub for the town’s growing number of sporting teams and community organisations.

The NSW Government has made a $650,000 commitment to the $7 million project which has brought forward the timeline for construction of the club that will provide facilities for the town’s junior and senior sports teams including netball, Australian rules, soccer, rugby and hockey.

The purpose-built facility will house function and meeting rooms, bar, bistro and café facilities, as well as male and female change rooms and spectator amenities.

Once complete, profits from the club will be shared among local sporting organisations.

Googong Sport and Recreation Club secretary Franca Jones said the funding will mean construction can begin shortly.

“On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank Mr Barilaro and the NSW Government for this major investment in the Googong community,” Ms Jones said.

“This funding will help us complete the construction certificate for the new Googong Sport and Recreation Club and allow lodgement for the commencement of construction. Our project timeline has been brought forward significantly thanks to this funding.”

Googong township

The Googong township as seen from above in 2018. Photo: Geoff Comfort.

Announcing the funding, Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the project will provide the growing township with a place to gather, socialise and improve local sporting development while creating additional job opportunities.

“We know that by building the right facilities, we don’t just develop strong athletes, we develop stronger communities, create pathways for future sporting heroes and boost community pride,” Mr Barilaro said.

“This funding will support the Googong Sport and Recreation Club Committee to work through the design and development of this major project.

“Sport is the lifeblood of regional towns and this club will attract new players, lift participation rates in local sport and help people socialise through sport.”

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Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said she has been buoyed by the dedication of the club’s committee which has played a significant role in shaping the much-needed club.

“The vision for this new green-fields development has been sustained by this ambitious community for eight years,” Ms McBain said.

“I’ve met with these guys and have been bitten by their bug.

The $650,000 commitment from the NSW Government is very welcome and will take care of the paperwork and planning needed. I am supporting the club to seek further grant funding that I hope will get this $7 million project across the line in the near future.”

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