New cricket nets have been installed at Lomatia Park in Springwood, marking the final stage of the current major renewal project for this much-loved local sporting precinct.
The new cricket facilities have been relocated and purpose-built to provide an improved training space for the Springwood Cricket Club and the wider cricket community.
The cricket nets were delivered by Blue Mountains City Council, made possible with a grant from the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund (ACIF), which is a joint initiative between Cricket New South Wales (CNSW) and Cricket Australia (CA) to support the ongoing development of community cricket facilities. The nets are part of the broader Lomatia Park Clubhouse and Amenities Upgrade, proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program.
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said the new cricket nets were a fantastic addition to Lomatia Park and an important investment in the future of local cricket.
“This is a great outcome for the Springwood Cricket Club and for the many players, families and volunteers who are part of the local cricket community,” Greenhill said.
“Lomatia Park has a proud history as a sporting ground, and these new nets provide a modern, high-quality training facility that will support players of all ages and abilities for many years to come.
“The completion of the nets also marks the final stage of the broader Lomatia Park upgrade.
“Together with the new clubhouse and improvements across the park, we now have facilities that reflect just how important this place is to local sport and the wider Springwood community.
“I’d like to thank the NSW Government and Cricket NSW for their investment in this project, and the Springwood Cricket Club for working so closely with Council to help bring it to life.”
Cricket has a long association with Lomatia Park, which was first proclaimed a recreation reserve in 1887 and has remained an important sporting and community gathering place in Springwood.
Springwood Cricket Club has worked closely with Council throughout the development and delivery of the broader Lomatia Park upgrade.
Adam Thomas, President of Springwood Cricket Club, said: “This nets project will help springwood cricket club with new facilities and coaching techniques to help developer young cricketers.
“Our numbers have been growing in the last couple of years, and we hope the new facilities at Lomatia can continue to grow our club numbers.
“Thank you to Blue Mountains and Cricket NSW for their support with the project “
Member for the Blue Mountains Trish Doyle MP said the completion of the cricket nets was another important outcome from the NSW Government’s investment in Lomatia Park.
“Our State Government invested more than $3.5 million to construct a new pavilion and amenities building at Lomatia Park and these new cricket nets are the finishing touch to this wonderful community project,” she said.
“Springwood Cricket Club, Blue Mountains Baseball and Softball Club and the Springwood District Dog Training Club were sharing a rather cramped facility and now these groups and other residents and visitors are getting to enjoy this Park, a real hidden gem of the Mountains.
“I know Mountains cricketers will be thrilled about the purpose-built facilities, which will hopefully entice a whole host of new younger cricketers take up this fabulous sport.
“Cricket has been played at Lomatia since the 1880’s, and with this multi-million dollar investment by our NSW Government, I hope it can continue for another century!”
The new nets follow the completion of the purpose-built Lomatia Park clubhouse, which includes accessible and universal design change rooms for players and officials, accessible amenities, a first aid room, kitchen and meeting space.
The project has also delivered improved landscaping and pathways, a solar power system and new storage facilities, supporting cricket, baseball, softball, dog training and recreational use of the park.
Troy has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.