Cambridge Park’s Harold Corr Oval is making headlines as the newest addition to Australia’s synthetic track landscape, marking the 25th synthetic track in New South Wales and the 103rd in Australia. The official opening of this high-quality athletics precinct in Sydney’s west, following a $6.9 million upgrade, is set to revolutionise athletics in the region.
The track has previously been a grass surface and now becomes only the second synthetic track west of Sydney Olympic Park.
The venue now boast a 400-metre, 8-lane synthetic athletics track, certified by World Athletics as a Class 2 facility, meeting the stringent requirements outlined by the governing body’s competition rules. Alongside this impressive track, the precinct also has a range of synthetic field facilities, including for long jump, triple jump, high jump, steeplechase, pole vault, hammer throw, discus, shot put, and javelin.
But that’s not all. To ensure athletes and enthusiasts are fully equipped, the upgrade also includes equipment storage, LED floodlighting for night-time action, and a 65-space car park, complete with three accessible car spaces.
Mayor Tricia Hitchen of Penrith believes that this newly unveiled precinct is destined to become the go-to location for local, zone, regional, and state athletics competitions, events, and training. She highlighted, “The synthetic track and field facilities can be used year-round and offer significantly improved capacity, durability, and drainage compared to the old oval facilities. This new facility will support the City’s growing population and demand for sport and recreation opportunities and ensures that athletics groups and residents have access to a quality facility right on their doorstep.”
The focus on community support and development is evident, with Mayor Hitchen expressing her gratitude, saying, “Thank you to the NSW and Australian Governments for their ongoing support to help us deliver the sport and recreation infrastructure we need for our growing community.”
The Harold Corr Oval upgrade received funding contributions from multiple sources, with Council chipping in $4.5 million, the NSW Government providing $2 million through the Penrith Sporting Infrastructure Project, and the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program contributing funding for the much-needed car park.
Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown OAM, is excited about the transformation of the precinct into a world-class athletics hub, stating, “The upgrade of Harold Corr Oval is a significant milestone for the Penrith community. The all-weather track and enhanced facilities will prove beneficial to many sporting and school groups. This project affirms the NSW Government’s commitment to support Penrith City Council in the delivery of high-quality upgrades.”
Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh, emphasized the importance of investing in an active lifestyle, saying, “It’s wonderful to see Cambridge Park getting its fair share of investment to promote an active lifestyle to our Lindsay Community. The finalization of this project will welcome a certified Class 2 athletic track and field facilities that will only bring more life to our growing community.”
This impressive project was initially identified as part of Council’s Sport and Recreation Strategy and is now set to be a game-changer for athletics in western Sydney – and by extension in Sydney, NSW and Australia, offering athletes and the community a world class facility that will undoubtedly participation and talent development for decades to come.
