Transport for NSW handed back the newly upgraded Brighton Memorial Playing Fields to Bayside Council last Friday following a multi-million dollar makeover as part of the M6 Stage 1 project.
The Brighton Memorial Playing Fields have been closed to the public for almost 15 months while the works were carried out as part of the State Government's Transport for NSW $2.6 billion M6 Stage 1 project.
A new war memorial at the site features a silhouette statue of an Australian soldier, remembrance wall and recognition of the contribution of servicemen and servicewomen to Australia's defence forces.
Other features include a full-size FIFA accredited synthetic football field, a smaller natural turf playing field,amenities block and an al- abilities playground, new car park and landscaping.
The works were undertaken, and fully-funded, as part of the M6 Stage 1 project that will connect President Avenue in Kogarah with the M8 motorway at Arncliffe via a four-km tunnel.
The makeover also includes:
An upgrade to the full-size synthetic field
New mid-sized grass playing field
A new playground area
A new memorial garden
A new amenity building including change rooms, canteen and toilets
Upgraded car-parking with increased capacity
As well as new fencing, lighting upgrades and landscaping
The work pays tribute to Australia's Armed Forces in line with the original naming of the Memorial Fields with a commemorative walk, special plantings and design features such as the poppy etched into pathways.
Oatley MP Mark Coure said the Brighton Memorial Playing Fields will provide a significant boost to community recreational infrastructure and open space.
"We thank local residents for their patience and we are pleased to provide infrastructure for the community that will revitalise the area," Mr Coure said.
Bayside Council has welcomed the new facilities and upgrades to the recreational and open spaces.
Bayside mayor, Bill Saravinovski said the council looks forward to showcasing and celebrating the transformation with the local community as soon as the Health Orders allow.
"But for now, we are happy that the fields have been upgraded and will be ready for the community to use and enjoy when we are finally out of lock down," Councillor Saravinovski said.
"It would have taken Council years to be able to fund, or access grants, to upgrade and construct new sporting and recreational facilities of this magnitude," he said.
"The combination of passive and active recreation will be enjoyed by both Bayside residents and visitors," he said.
Transport for NSW is also funding the upgrades at Ador Park (the former Rockdale Bowling Club) and McCarthy Reserve.
These works will include more sporting fields, a new skate park as well BBQ and recreational facilities and are scheduled to be completed and reopened by the end of the year, before the tunnel works requires the complete closure of Bicentennial Park.
Transport for NSW have released a video to "virtually open" the new facilities which can be viewed at https://caportal.com.au/rms/m6/crf
