Thomson Oval Pavilion Opens
Last modified on 30 November 2020
Drop by to check out the freshly built pavilion at Artarmon’s Thomson Oval
A much-anticipated new pavilion at Thomson Oval, Artarmon, was formally opened on Saturday by Willoughby City Council Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney and federal member Trent Zimmerman.
Funded $515,000 from the Australian Government and $500,000 from council, the existing brick building was demolished and replaced with the new pavilion. It includes public toilets, change rooms, canteen, storage, rainwater tank and new landscaping.
Mayor Giles-Gidney said the facility provided more flexibility and usability for clubs as they can store their equipment and utilise better change rooms.
“The design was carefully considered to take advantage of cross ventilation, preserve trees for shade and maximise the space,” she said.
The Thomson Oval and nearby Park is on council land acquired 95 years ago and is more in demand now than ever.
“Outdoor spaces and ovals like this one have been popular during the pandemic, providing recreation and exercise space when team sports and gyms were closed.”
Thomson Park and Oval is named after Dugald Thomson, the person who first held the federal seat of North Sydney that Trent Zimmerman MP now occupies. Mr Zimmerman secured the Australian Government funding for the pavilion.
He said the project provided a much-needed upgrade to the highly utilised park for all to enjoy in the community.
“This project has upgraded the current sports pavilion amenities by demolishing the existing outdated toilet block and constructing a new modern amenity block including male and female public amenities rooms, change rooms with showers and toilets, a kiosk and improved accessibility,” he said.
“Thomson Oval is used extensively by community groups. Artarmon Public School use the oval as their part of their playground, local sporting groups extensively utilise the artificial grass playing surface and amenities all year round, and the residents of the adjoining high density housing utilise the facilities as a general green space”.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government’s $515,000 investment in community infrastructure would provide long term benefits to North Sydney.
“This investment block will benefit the patrons of this highly utilised community asset by providing modern, clean and safe facilities as well as improved accessibility to the amenities, parking and the oval in general,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Thomson Oval is one of the busiest ovals in the area, used by over 1,000 people a week.
Regular users/hirers include:
- Northern Suburbs Football Association
- Chatswood Rangers Football Club
- Northbridge Football Club
- North Shore Junior Cricket Association
- Artarmon Public School
Northbridge Football Club and Chatswood Rangers will share operation of the new canteen space.
History
Thomson Park Oval is named after the Hon. Dugald Thomson (1848 -1922), the first Federal Member for North Sydney (1901-1910). He was a free trader and supported the railway line being extended from St Leonards to Milsons Point. The land was originally part of William Gore’s land grant of 150 acres from the present day St Leonards to Artarmon Railway Station. The land was acquired by the Council in 1925. The sportsground and children’s playground were developed in 1928.