Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex - Community Open Evening

Council is encouraging the community to come and have a look at the new Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex (BRSCC) on Friday evening, 10 February

The new multi purpose facility and sporting fields will have its gates open on Friday 10 February from 5pm to 8pm for a Community Open Evening.  Entrance via the roundabout on Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay.

Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham said she was thrilled to be able to invite the community to come and see the Shire’s latest community building and sports fields.

“It’s been quite a journey.  However, the announcement of Australian Government funding support back in May 2009 was the catalyst to turn the hard work and concept plans into a reality,” she said.

Mayor Barham encouraged the community to attend the open evening to view the new complex, watch local sporting teams play and assess the potential for the complex to operate as venue to host cultural events.

It’s a big site and features seven playing fields, three outdoor netball/basketball courts, cricket nets, athletics track, indoor arena, function/activity rooms, meeting rooms and catering facilities.

Mayor Barham also acknowledged and thanked the active and dedicated role the Byron Bay Community Sports Association and many local residents had played in helping progress the complex.

“This has been an outstanding community effort with hundreds of people coming along to participate in community engagement during the development of the complex, and many coming along to help out on tree planting days,” she said.

Just recently Byron Bay Community Sports Association convener, Paul Irwin, was honoured as Byron Shire’s Citizen of the Year at the Australia Day Awards.

Mr Irwin served as a member of Council’s Project Reference Group for the BRSCC, and as Mayor Barham recently commented “his commitment and passion for the project showed no limits.”

“From attending meetings and planting trees, to the consultation and engagement with sports groups to ensure that the facility meets the needs of locals.  Paul has been determined that a dream to deliver a much needed new facility became a reality.” 

There has been a great deal of interest and excitement, noted Mayor Barham, about what the new complex will mean for the Shire.

‘We now have the grounds, four walls and a roof and the complex will be defined over time by the interest and imagination of the community. 

“There is great potential with this new facility to provide increased health, cultural and economic opportunities for the Shire,” Mayor Barham said.

In 2009, Byron Shire Council was awarded Australian Government funding of $8 million from the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program and another $1.5 million from the Better Regions Program. With a final cost of approximately $17.2 million, Byron Shire Council has contributed the remaining $7.7 million.

Regional Development Australia also partnered with Council to help fund and prepare the Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex’s business plan.