Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey made the announcement today in front of community sporting groups, council members, members of the community and groups who have supported and endorsed the project. 

Mrs Pavey said the NSW Government Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund grant would meet the current and future needs of the local community and the region. 

“This new state-of-the-art complex will fill a gap in high performance infrastructure and capabilities for athletes, coaches and officials across a range of sports in the Mid North Coast region,” Ms Pavey said.

“This will allow South West Rocks to host big regional events and bring more economic growth to our region.” 

South West Rocks Sport and Recreation Association president Holly Gaddes said the centre would largely improve the sporting facilities in the region. 

“Locally it will be great because we can hold more games and training camps here, we can also host larger state competitions as well,” Ms Gaddes said. 

Related content: Proposed High Performance Centre to develop Macleay’s next superstar athletes

Ms Gaddes said seeing the project move forward is amazing.

“It’s so surreal, but very exciting. Everyone who has worked towards this project has built positive relationships and these relationships are what has made this all happen,” she said. 

Kempsey Shire Council mayor Liz Campbell said the project was a fantastic example of two levels of government working directly with the community to deliver a shared vision. 

“Council certainly acknowledge and thank the NSW Government for this significant funding injection but also honour the passion and drive of those community members who have made this possible,” Mayor Campbell said.

“This is what happens when governments and the community work together.”

Kempsey Shire Councillor Anna Shields said the whole community would benefit from the complex.

“It will help local sporting clubs but will also be able to host cultural events for the wider community such as festivals and concerts,” she said.

“It’s so amazing to get this project over the line and see it take shape.”

Ms Pavey also thanked and congratulated everyone involved.

“I congratulate the sport-minded proponents in the South West Rocks community, Kempsey Shire Council and all of those who worked on the project to bring it from a vision to this reality.”

Thanks also goes to the SWR Country Club for their generous and enduring support and their $400,000 donation towards the project.

The centre is set to produce $5 million annually from 2024, five years after its completion. 

The grant will help pay for: