The development process for Football South Coast’s synthetic pitch project at Ian McLennan Park could begin as early as next month after it received an additional $700,000 in funding from Wollongong City Council this week.
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The Council’s substantial financial injection came as part of their 2016-17 budget.
It arrives more than two months after the Illawarra Mercury revealed the pitch would be getting the go-ahead thanks to $500,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s Club Grants Category 3 scheme.
FSC are also set to chip in for the $1.8 development.
FSC chief executive Ann-Marie Balliana said the project was a massive boost for local football.
“This is pretty historic in that it will be the first one this region has,” she said.
“I think it is fair to say we have been a step behind other associations and other areas across NSW.
“It’s a big step for us to catch up but there is still a lot of focus on facilities needed throughout the whole region."
While the development process is expected to start soon, construction of the pitch isn’t expected to interrupt football at the venue this season.
“The biggest part of the project is the planning work and the tender process. The construction time is actually quite minimal at around six to eight weeks,” Balliana said.
“It is something that could be done in the off-season to minimise the impact on South Coast United.”
Funding for the project will also be used to improve the facilities at Ian McLennan Park.
“We would obviously like to look what scope we have to improve lighting and also the fencing as well,” Balliana said.
“It is about what we can do to upgrade the field entirely with the projected funds that we have.”
