Barnard Park upgrades welcomed

The familiar crack of leather on willow rang out at Barnard Park last weekend as new cricket facilities were put to the test.

A new synthetic cricket pitch is being used by the Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association for the first time this season, completed as part of the City of Busselton's upgrades to Barnard Park.

City engineering and works services director Oliver Darby said the project involved the development of two new ovals with irrigation, new turf, water supply and lighting.

"The oval on the western side is finished and has been used for cricket and soccer," he said.

"The eastern oval will be completed within the month but will need to be left to settle for a period of six months before being used for sports.

"The community will also benefit from a new turf wicket and synthetic cricket wickets, new cricket nets and a competition-level track for the Fire and Rescue Service."

Mr Darby said the City received almost $630,000 from the Department of Sport and Recreation for the project, plus $1.4 million from the Country Local Government Fund.

The remaining costs - about $850,000 - were funded by the City.

St Mary's Cricket Club president James Hunt said he was thrilled with the new cricket pitch and was looking forward to the other facilities being finished.

"From our point of view, it's fantastic to be able to play in that location, it has got to be one of the best spots in WA," he said. "We've been needing new nets down there (because) at the moment there's not enough quality training facilities to go around."

Mr Darby said further works at Barnard Park - including new carparks at Brown Street, Milne Street, Marine Terrace and Carey Street - were scheduled for completion in December and January.

The City was also seeking grant funding to construct a new sports pavilion on Milne Street between the two new ovals, he said.