Is This The Last Year We Play On Sydneys Worst Ground?

[shearer]

Dont worry about Olds Park, its like Royal Randwick at the moment.

[The Ern]

Originally posted by shearer
Dont worry about Olds Park, its like Royal Randwick at the moment.

Same goes for Ern Holmes Oval Shearer. You could dead set play Lawn Bowls on it at the moment. The real test will be whether it deteriorates that much that you could build a Sandcastle on it halfway through the year. A problem many grounds in Sydney have i'm afraid.

[Pekay]

Originally posted by shearer
Dont worry about Olds Park, its like Royal Randwick at the moment.

Most grounds aorund town are in the same condition, everything looks green and Mickey Mouse now but when the winter cold sets in, thats the test. Bensons Lane is in the best condition iv ever seen, thick and green, but the morning dew combined with morning sun equals scorched grass, so you can only hope it holds out.For th record, i quite like Olds.

[Gambler]

The Ern quote:
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Originally posted by shearer
Dont worry about Olds Park, its like Royal Randwick at the moment.
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Same goes for Ern Holmes Oval Shearer. You could dead set play Lawn Bowls on it at the moment. The real test will be whether it deteriorates that much that you could build a Sandcastle on it halfway through the year. A problem many grounds in Sydney have i'm afraid.

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Speaking of grounds being in good nick, I believe that the Sydney Showground has come up looking pretty sharp

[shearer]

Whats the size of it Gambler, ive heard its as big as a postage stamp.

[Henry]

Originally posted by shearer
Dont worry about Olds Park, its like Royal Randwick at the moment.

A horse paddock?

[shearer]

Whats the size of it Gambler, ive heard its as big as a postage stamp.

[DLH]

Originally posted by tara
Olds isnt as bad as Greygums.

Agreed, Greygums is ordinary. Hopefully it will improve over the next few years though.

As of last week, we've now got access to the grey water irrigation that was previously only available to Nepean Rugby Park on the other side of Andrews Rd. Hopefully this will make a big difference to the surface going forward. A couple of coaches/interchange dugouts were also erected before Christmas. Some seating around the ground will also be installed.

It looks as though funding is now in place for a proposed $120k odd worth of improvements, with money coming from State and local government, the AFL and the Penrith senior and junior clubs. This will mean lights on the small field at the back of the main ground (which will mean the juniors can train there, meaning less traffic on Greygums). Also, a storage/amenities building will be constructed on the Western side of the main ground.

We'd still prefer to be at Dukes Oval though.

[cmon]

Drummoyne is the best ground in the comp until the bum sniffers get on there and rip it to shreds.

Dockers 2007

[j s]

Originally posted by Pekay
Pittwater's junior ground?Is that the one in the high school, or Lakeside Oval next to Narrabeen Smash?I remember playing on Pittwater High back in juniors,and training on Lakeside as part of a devwelopment camp about 12 years ago.If its Lakeside,right on the main road,that should be priority for exposure.

Pittwater left the high school about 4 years ago to a new ground behind the Rugby/Soccer field (usually referred to as Rat Park). Not sure where you mean by Lakeside Oval?

At the moment, even in winter, it doesn't look like much - just a stretch grass with a boundary line and posts. The club is hoping to start building change rooms in the next 12 months (bye bye caravan), once the funding gets approved.

I'm pretty sure Soccer has taken over the high school now - it was only big enough for Juniors though. It's biggest advantage was what it was never washed out, based on sand and not council controlled.

[Pekay]

Originally posted by j s
Pittwater left the high school about 4 years ago to a new ground behind the Rugby/Soccer field (usually referred to as Rat Park). Not sure where you mean by Lakeside Oval?

At the moment, even in winter, it doesn't look like much - just a stretch grass with a boundary line and posts. The club is hoping to start building change rooms in the next 12 months (bye bye caravan), once the funding gets approved.

I'm pretty sure Soccer has taken over the high school now - it was only big enough for Juniors though. It's biggest advantage was what it was never washed out, based on sand and not council controlled.

Lakeside is on the main road opposite Narrabeen Sports, near a caravan park?It was years ago so its prob flats or houses now.I know the venue you speak of, good spot!hope it all goes well.As for DLH, sounds like the help is forthcoming, good luck with it.Would be better for footy on Dukes i agree.

[tara]

DLH last year Greygums looked the best I have ever seen it. I am a big critic of the ground after suffering a bad injury for which I am still suffering from nearly 10 years later. The biggest problem I see with Dukes is its size, GG's has it covered there but from an awareness point of view it has far more potential to promote the sport in the Penrith area.

[j s]

Originally posted by Pekay
Lakeside is on the main road opposite Narrabeen Sports, near a caravan park?It was years ago so its prob flats or houses now.I know the venue you speak of, good spot!hope it all goes well.As for DLH, sounds like the help is forthcoming, good luck with it.Would be better for footy on Dukes i agree.

I know where you mean now - that's a RL field I think - went (sort of) rectangular when they built clubrooms though it's still used for cricket.

[DLH]

Originally posted by tara
DLH last year Greygums looked the best I have ever seen it. I am a big critic of the ground after suffering a bad injury for which I am still suffering from nearly 10 years later. The biggest problem I see with Dukes is its size, GG's has it covered there but from an awareness point of view it has far more potential to promote the sport in the Penrith area.

Given what happened to you I don't blame you in the slightest for not being a fan. There are plenty of our guys who have suffered injuries over the years which you could attribute in some degree to the state of the ground.

Unfortunately Dukes is gone forever I'd say due to the local cricket association's heavy lobbying. There's no doubt that at 147m "long" it is too short (albeit it is quite wide, basically a circle), however, the surface is good and the amenities block is excellent, although the rooms, being designed for cricket, are too small. As you say, the location lends itself to far more passing traffic which was good for awareness.

Until now, Greygums has been in the backblocks, however, you might have noticed a large housing estate which is beginning to take shape to the immediate west of the ground. Within the next 3-5 years there will be thousands of new residents, which will mean the ground will be surrounded by housing and the main entry to the ground will be from a new road to the immediate west (hence the proposed new amenities block on that side of the oval).

In the medium term, Council and Lend Lease have raised the possibility of a new sporting facility in the ADI development to the east of Penrith, which would include an AFL ground. Obviously this is a little way off, but hopefully something comes of that.

Pekay, can you fill us in on what's happening at Bensons Lane?

[tara]

DLH my wife grew up a short way in another suburb. Her brother lives only a ten minute walk from the ground so hopefully Ill get to see a few games this year and have a beer.

Pekay she has committed to running water and helping out so Frankie is going to organise shorts and an approriate SWS top(cougar) for her to wear. If I cant get my guys fit at least I can distract the opposition