SCaRP - Artie Smith Oval Development

Shoalhaven City Council is pleased to report that the first sod was turned at Artie Smith Oval in Bomaderry on Friday, 11 February 2022 symbolising the official beginning of major works at the site.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Amanda Findley joined Fiona Phillps, MP and Gareth Ward, MP at the official opening.

The redevelopment of the Artie Smith Reserve is the next stage of the larger Shoalhaven Community and Recreation Precinct (SCaRP) and will deliver a purpose-designed and purpose-built sporting precinct in accordance with AFL and Cricket sporting code requirements.

Contractors are commencing construction of pavement and external car park works on Barwon Street and West Birriley Street (as identified on the map below) as a part of the Artie Smith Oval Upgrade. Works are scheduled to commence in June 2022 and are expected to be completed in August 2022, weather dependent.

During this time, traffic and safety controls will be in place with some minor adjustments to speed limits. We are mindful and committed to minimising the impact of works on all residents and greatly appreciate your patience over the duration of the Artie Smith Redevelopment Project.

The facilities will include: 

• a new AFL/Cricket field and pavilion clubhouse and amenities  
• cricket practice facilities  
• four croquet courts, clubhouse and amenities
• open space embellishments, including play and exercise equipment, landscaping, pathways and seating furniture
• onsite car parking
• perimeter security fencing providing pedestrian access.

A contemporary regional sporting facility is no longer a dream for the Shoalhaven and the redevelopment will provide quality training and sporting facilities for local sports clubs, players and will attract major sporting events to the Shoalhaven.

At Artie Smith Reserve, Council is working with the Public Works Authority (for Project Management) and Joss Construction to deliver a community facility for the new Artie Smith Oval.

Construction is scheduled to be finished by mid-2023, although subject to weather conditions.

Contractors are commencing construction of pavement and external carpark works on Barwon Street and West Birriley Street (as identified on the map below) as a part of the Artie Smith Oval Upgrade. Works are scheduled to commence on 28 March 2022 and are expected to be completed in June 2022, weather dependant.

During this time, traffic and safety controls will be in place with some minor adjustments to speed limits. We are mindful and committed to minimising the impact of works on all residents and greatly appreciate your patience over the duration of the Artie Smith Redevelopment Project.

The redevelopment of Artie Smith Oval Bomaderry Project is underway.

This next stage of the Shoalhaven Community and Recreation Precinct brings the facility one step closer to becoming a state level sporting precinct for the whole of the Shoalhaven.

Council will be working with the community to deliver the community facility for the new Artie Smith Oval, including:

• new AFL/cricket with 5 turf wickets, floodlighting, irrigation drainage, picket fencing, electronic scoreboard, sight screens, and spectator seating/mounding
• AFL/cricket pavilion clubhouse and amenities
• cricket practice facility (4 X Synthetic pitches, 4 X turf pitches, storage shed)
• four croquet courts
• croquet clubhouse and amenities
• onsite car parking
• open space embellishments (pathways, playgrounds, exercise equipment, landscaping, furniture, etc.)
• perimeter security fencing.

The redevelopment design will retain most of the native trees and an additional 77 trees are being planted. Forty-five will be the same species as the existing trees (Scribbly Gum and Red Bloodwood) and a total of 30,465 plantings (from trees to grasses) will be established on the site. Maintaining the semi-bushland setting has been integral to the design considerations with a sympathetic tapering Pavilion Clubhouse building form to allow the line of eucalypts behind to remain significant in the sense of enclosure to the field and as an amenity to the overall streetscape.

The construction will use low maintenance, durable and robust materials such as brick, steel, concrete and some hardwood. The completed project will provide accessible open space and sporting facilities for all ages and abilities, designed for the comfort of users and spectators.

Council is writing to residents to provide an update on our exciting redevelopment of Artie Smith Oval Bomaderry Project.

Council has engaged Joss Group Pty Ltd to undertake the construction of Artie Smith Oval redevelopment.

The new Artie Smith Oval will provide a state-level standard facility:

• New AFL/Cricket with 5 turf pitches, lighting, irrigation drainage, picket fencing, electronic scoreboard, sight screens, and spectator seating/mounding
• AFL/Cricket Clubhouse and amenities
• Cricket Practice facility (4 X Synthetic pitches, 4 X turf pitches, storage shed)
• Four croquet courts
• Croquet clubhouse and amenities
• Onsite car parking
• Open space embellishments (pathways, playground, exercise equipment, landscaping, furniture, etc.)
• Perimeter security fencing.

Council is very excited about this project that will deliver a space for our whole community. If you have any enquiries in relation to this project, please do not hesitate to contact Anthony Meta (02) 4429 3676 or stay up to date on this project by subscribing to the to the Shoalhaven Community and Recreation Precinct (SCaRP) Get Involved web page.

Shoalhaven City Council has finalised the development application ready designs for the Southern Section of the Shoalhaven Community and Recreation Precinct (SCaRP). This follows Council's endorsement of the plans in January 2020.

The extent of the upgrade work on the Southern Section (Artie Smith Oval) constitutes the southern portion of the recently master-planned Shoalhaven Community and Recreation Precinct and adjoins the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre.

Interested community members are encouraged to view the plans in the Artie Smith Oval Upgrade – DA Ready Design Report(External link).

The upgrades to Artie Smith Oval will provide a state level standard facility with major elements including:

• New AFL/Cricket with 5 turf pitches, lighting, irrigation drainage, picket fencing electronic scoreboard, sight screens Spector seating/mounding
• AFL/Cricket Clubhouse and amenities
• Cricket Practice facility (4 X Synthetic pitches, 4 X turf pitches, storage shed)
• Perimeter security fencing
• Four croquet courts
• Croquet clubhouse and amenities
• Onsite car parking
• Open space embellishments (pathways landscaping furniture etc)

Council is now progressing with development of the construction ready plans. These plans will go out to tender for construction later in the year and Council is anticipating construction to commence mid-October 2021.