The Central West's Favourite Community Newspaper

Oberon’s Next Chapter: Touring The State‑of‑the‑Art Sports Complex

Story and image submitted by Hannah Booth

I recently had the privilege of a tour through the almost complete Oberon Sports Complex and its stage one surroundings. The first thing that struck me was the sheer scale of this facility. From the road, it’s impossible to grasp just how expansive it really is, especially as it’s designed spanning over two levels.

On entry, the craftsmanship is immediately obvious. The work of Crossmuller (an arm of BORG) is front and centre, and the opportunity to use and showcase BORG products has been taken full advantage of. Love that or loathe it, credit must be given where credit is due. From the wall panelling and cabinetry to the bathroom and changeroom fit-out, Borg Panel products are proudly on display…and don’t they look impressive.

Descending through the ‘Legends Hall’ that is not yet complete, but already humming with potential, you can’t help but feel a sense of pride. Soon it will be lined with photos and Tigers memorabilia, a tangible tribute to Oberon’s rich league legacy. This space will be more than a hallway, it will be a walk through history.

Your eyes are instantly drawn to the two playing fields beyond, a view that only improves as you step into the bar and bistro areas. The bar is a sleek, swanky space that will come alive with the hum of patrons and the energy of game-day crowds. Floor-to-ceiling glass panelling gives an uninterrupted view over the 320+ seat grandstand and out across the fields. The bistro echoes this same sense of quality and atmosphere, with an impressive commercial kitchen promising vibrant community dinners, club functions and post-game meals.

Outside and heading down the stairs from the grandstand brings you to ground level, where four changerooms, additional bathrooms and referee rooms are tucked smartly beneath the seating. These spaces are anything but an afterthought. Expansive, modern and well-planned. Teams for years to come will appreciate the thoughtful inclusions like private, partitioned showers and toilets. Gone are the days of awkwardly lining up next to your mates for a shower post-game. These changerooms show respect for athletes of all ages and genders.

The playing fields themselves are state-of-the-art, already looking lush and manicured even in the depths of winter. Automated mowing and irrigation systems are a testament to the forward planning and care that has gone into this facility. This isn’t just a sports field, it’s a long-term investment in our community’s wellbeing.

While the netball courts are still to be finalised as part of Stage One, their future inclusion could mark the return of grassroots netball to Oberon. A moment many in the community have long hoped for. There’s also great potential for hockey fields in the next stages of development. Imagine what it could mean to have a true home base for footy, netball, and hockey. A place for our junior players to grow, our senior teams to rally and visiting clubs to envy.

This once-in-a-generation, multi-purpose facility is more than bricks and grass. It’s a place where Oberon’s long and proud sporting history can be honoured, and where the next generation can carve out new memories. It’s not hard to imagine that a facility like this is something legends like Norm Brown, Jock Schrader and Shoey would have only dreamed of calling their home ground.

I am genuinely excited about what lies ahead. From Saturday sports to weeknight family dinners, school carnivals to twilight matches…the possibilities are almost endless.

As with any type of change or growth, there have been some negative Nellies with their commentary surrounding this project. That’s natural progression. But we cannot let that dampen the potential here. This is a facility that could breathe new life into local sport, bring families together, and offer young local athletes the kind of start many towns can only dream of.

As a community, we should be proud. Not just of the building itself, but of the vision, effort, and community spirit that has brought it to life. This is something special. And it’s ours.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts