Sports fields to reopen after irrigation and surface upgrades

NEW turf has been laid with Williams Reserve at Lennox Head set to reopen after improvements to its irrigation system and playing surface.

The site has been fenced off since December and will soon be available for the Lennox Head Trojans rugby union club who train and play at the facility.

Saunders Oval at Ballina has undergone similar work with both expected to be reopened this month.

It is mainly used for soccer in winter and touch football in the summer.

There were delays on both projects due to wet weather and the impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Ballina Shite Council said contractors were working as quickly as possible to complete the improvements.

“Williams Reserve has a new irrigation system, and the playing surface has been regraded and turfed,” a council spokesperson said.

“Saunders Oval has had major surface improvements and grading completed as well as getting a new surface.”

Meanwhile, council has continued a range of works at Lake Ainsworth to improve environmental impacts, while maintaining the site as a recreation hotspot.

It is part of council’s Coast Management Plan with support from the state and federal government.

There has been upgrades to the car park, including a stormwater infiltration strip for better control of run-off into the lake.

A new pedestrian footpath and boardwalk is being built with furniture and bollards.

Work has also been done on bush regeneration with tree planting and landscaping projects.