A $1.8 million grant from the NSW Government will help put the finishing touches on Cessnock PCYC’s new multi-sport facility.
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The development at the former Bonds Factory site off McGrane Street was already well underway, but club manager Kathy Smith said the funds injection would help finalise the fit-out of the centre’s new skate park and rock-climbing facilities.
While a written application for the funds had been made to the state government via the ClubGrants scheme, Ms. Smith said the news had come out of the blue.
“We had applied (for the grant) but so had 800 other people and we weren’t really expecting it,” she said.
“The timeline for the grants had already finished and we were waiting to hear, and we only found out about it the day before the minister’s announcement (last Tuesday).
“The grant certainly is welcome news, and to get this money means we will be able to finish the whole building and fit it out to a higher standard.”
Ms. Smith said the PCYC was now on track to move into the new premises ahead of an official opening planned for mid-August, with the skate park and rock-climbing facilities set to be completed by the end of October.
She said fundraising efforts could now be directed toward other projects planned for the state-of-the-art 5800 square-metre site.
“We would have raised the funds eventually, it might have been over two years but we would have got there,” she said.
“Fundraising for the PCYC never stops and we certainly haven’t stopped growing – we have other plans we can now move forward with.”
Speaking at last week’s announcement, Minister for Hospitality, Gaming and Racing Troy Grant congratulated Cessnock PCYC on their application and said the funds would help boost patron numbers at the new facility.
“It’s estimated the additional facilities will result in a 180 percent increase in use to the 1750 participants a week,” he said.
“This project enables PCYC to provide low to no cost access to a range of sport and recreational activities for the entire community.
“This is a very important and welcome project for the local community and I applaud PCYC for their outstanding application through the ClubGrants process.”
