Work begins on upgrade to National Park Netball Courts

The revitalisation of National Park's popular sporting precincts is set to continue with a $627,000 overhaul of Newcastle’s premier netball facility.

Work began this week to upgrade the 30 competition netball courts at National Park as part of a project being funded by Newcastle Netball Association and delivered with support from City of Newcastle.

Designed to provide safer, high performance court surfaces for thousands of local players ahead of the new season, the project will include court surface grinding, crack repairs, asphalt works, and installation of the heavy-duty Netball NSW endorsed Plexipave surface followed by new line marking and court numbering.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the netball courts are an important part of the National Park sporting precinct, offering recreational opportunities for competition and social netballers and for community members.

“As one of our largest and oldest sportsgrounds and open space reserves, National Park plays an important role in the livability of our city,” Cr Nelmes said.

Councillor Peta Winney-Baartz said that City of Newcastle is committed to protecting and enhancing the vital greenspace and active recreation areas, investing millions of dollars into a range of projects currently underway while also planning for its future through the development of the National Park Plan of Management.

“Projects such as the upgrade of the netball courts by Newcastle Netball Association demonstrate the passion and commitment local sporting groups and community members also feel for National Park,” Cr Winney-Baartz said.

“I commend them for moving ahead with this important upgrade, which will provide safe, activated and enhanced recreation spaces for the community, including thousands of registered netball players who take part in Saturday morning, twilight and representative competitions each year.”

Due to the complexity of the project, the netball court precinct will be closed during the construction period, which is expected to be finished, weather depending, by March 2022 ahead of the netball season.

Newcastle Netball Association President Cheryl Hernando said the upgrade would provide players with important safety improvements and a better competition surface.

"Over 4,000 players utilise these courts throughout the year and the enhanced safety measures this revitalisation provides will be gladly welcomed," she said.

"The new acrylic court surface will deliver a range of benefits for players including better traction underfoot further cementing National Park as the premier netball facility in Newcastle."

National Park covers more than 20 hectares and is home to a range of community facilities including sportsgrounds, netball and basketball courts, a croquet club and an athletics track.