Coen oval to receive $500,000 upgrade

The Coen community’s sporting oval will receive a much needed upgrade thanks to a funding partnership between the Palaszczuk Government and Cook Shire Council.

The AU$500,000 upgrade will commence next month and include new turf, goal posts, drainage and irrigation systems and lighting.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and Ministerial Champion for Coen Cameron Dick announced the upgrade as part of a community day in Coen with the Brisbane Broncos and Apunipima Cape York Health Council this week.

Minister Cameron Dick said:

Participation in sport and recreation is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and this upgrade will play an important role in keeping residents in the region fit and active. The community raised the need for the upgrade during my first visit as Ministerial Champion in 2016 and I’m very pleased that the Government and Cook Shire Council have been able to work together to make it happen.

 

Sport also plays another important role in Queensland’s rural and regional communities by contributing to community identity, sense of place, social interaction and better health. The upgrade of the oval will be of regional significance and will assist in further developing the community’s spirit and a sense of pride. Rural and remote towns have developed many of Australia’s elite athletes due to their unique social environment.

 

This upgrade will ensure the Coen community has access to a quality sporting field for both day and night events, giving the community’s youth the chance to be one of tomorrow’s stars.

Acting Sport Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland, Coralee O’Rourke, said sports played a vital role in transforming the lives of children in rural and remote areas of Queensland.

Ms O’Rourke added:

Giving kids somewhere to have fun and kick a ball is one of the best ways we can encourage kids to be fit and healthy.

Cook Shire Council Mayor Peter Scott said the council was excited to work in partnership with the State Government to rebuild the Coen sports oval into a modern sporting and community hub for everyone to enjoy.

The upgrade, which is due to get underway next month, will feature a raft of improvements, including:

• Earthworks and levelling
• Modification of surface drainage directed around playing field
• Goal posts
• Pressure pump and travelling irrigator
• Infrastructure for supply to irrigator  
• Establishment of playing field grass cover
• Services, water, sewer, power (Trade allowance)
• Bollards/post and top rail around playing fields
• Lighting (fields)

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