+ What are we planning?

The proposed Facility will be a two storey, architecturally designed building to meet all the needs of the members and supporters of our sporting clubs. Community groups will also have access and be able to enjoy this wonderful addition to our local area.

Located between Ovals 1 and 2, the building will comprise:

• Ground floor - 2 unisex change rooms with showers and toilets, referee’s room, first aid room, storage for club and school users, public accessible toilets and a canteen
• First Floor – A large Community/Social Room with kitchen, storeroom and office together with an adjacent covered viewing terrace.

Things are moving along at a cracking pace. The Development Application is due to be lodged in early June. This will be determined by the Local Planning Panel (i.e. not HH Council). While the DA is being processed constructions tenders will go out. This, of course will inform us of our final fundraising target.

+ Who is in charge of the Project?

Hunters Hill Council are project managers. HHRUFC and Hunters Hill Council have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the roles and responsibilities of both parties for the delivery of this project.

We have formed a stakeholder group - including members of HHRUFC, Ryde Hunters Hill Cricket, Ravens Netball, local Primary Schools and Council - to step through and guide the design process with appointed designers, DJRD Architects. It is this group that has informed the Architect of the needs of the proposed users of the facilities.

+ How much will this cost?

Estimates using the concept plans already produced have put the construction costs of the new building at $3m plus about $150k in design and consultant fees.

+ Who is paying for this?

Unfortunately, Boronia Park sits in the smallest council in Australia. It’s lack of size and consequent limited revenue means that funding projects such as this is near impossible.

So, the bottom line is – if we want modern, clean, usable facilities, we will have to find the money for them.

We have already been very successful, gaining grant funding from the NSW Government, to the tune of $1m, along with another half a million kicked in by the Federal Government. We have committed $150,000 of club funds that we have accumulated over the past 10 years or so.

But we need much more…

The rest we are hoping to get from donations from club members, past club members and members of the local community that are keen to support great initiatives and great facilities in Hunters Hill.

Our fundraising target is $1.5m

We have already received significant interest from sporting club members and local residents, willing to tip in generous amounts towards our fundraising goal. But we need everyone that can to help out – every donation, whether $100 or $1m, counts.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our club and for our community, but we need your help to get it across the line.

Donations are fully tax deductable

Construction contracts cannot be let until we have all funds available.

+ How do I make a donation?

Glad you asked…

FULLY TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATIONS CAN BE MADE VIA THE AUSTRALIAN SPORTS FOUNDATION.

Please visit Make A Donation to donate.

+ Why should I contribute?

All of us will have different reasons for making a donation to this project – some might be:

• I have been a member for donkey’s years and have always hoped we would get somewhere we could call home.
• I want to help to get the sporting facilities that Boronia Park is crying out for.
• HHRUFC has been a big and important part of my life and I want to give something back.
• I love coming to Boronia to watch the footy. It would be nice to have a bit more comfort.
• I am embarrassed by the state of facilities at Boronia compared to our oppositions.
• District, amateur sport is crucial part of our community – it needs our help.

Whatever your reason, the bottom line is – without your help, we won’t get the facilities that Boronia Park has always needed.

+ What is the project timeline?

We are currently in the design phase of the project. Concept plans have been produced for the layout of the building, showing the elements that will be included. Once this is finalised the architects can start working on the look of the building.

We expect to have finalised the design by the end of April. This is a critical stage – we only get one chance to get this right.

After design is complete and signed off by Council (and us, of course), it will go through a Development Application process, which we expect to be determined in mid July.

An approved DA means we can then go to tender for the construction of the building. We are aiming for construction to begin in mid October, with completion by the end of June 2022.

On the fundraising front, all donations need to be collected before the end of September to allow for the construction contract to be awarded. Construction can’t begin until the tender sum is sitting in the bank.

+ Who will manage the building once it’s finished?

The building will be wholly owned and managed by Hunters Hill Council.

+ What sort of access will Hunters Hill Rugby get to the building?

The building can broadly be thought of as two separate floors – the ground floor, containing changerooms, canteen, storage and other active sport areas; and the first floor, containing the Community Room and Viewing Terrace.

We are currently in negotiations with Council to secure a 20 year licence to use the building at set times, on set days throughout the year – for example: Juniors and Seniors game days and evenings. rugby carnival days, special events such as presentations and season launches, committee meetings or AGMs.

Broadly speaking, our access to the ground floor will be available all year, while the first floor spaces will be as set out in our licence.

+ Who else will get to use the Facility?

When not reserved for use by the Rugby Club, (or the Cricket Club under their licence) the first floor of the Facility will be available for hire to other community groups. Hunters Hill Council will manage the hiring of the Facility, with revenue going to offset maintenance of the building.

+ Will there be limitations on how we can use the Community Room?

Yes, of course. The Development Approval and our licence will set out conditions for the use of the building. These conditions will generally be in line with those in place for all similar Council run facilities. As you would expect, there will be restrictions on noise and hours of operation.