Henson Park Upgrade
Background
Henson Park is Marrickville Council's premier rugby and AFL facility situated on Sydenham Road, Marrickville. The ground is currently used by a number of high level sporting clubs including the Newtown Jets, AFL NSW/ACT, Sydney Roosters and the Australian Rugby Union. The level of lighting provided at the ground enables significant matches to be televised, and the ground has hosted a number of elite squads including the Sydney City Roosters and the Argentinean rugby union squad during the World Cup.
The park contains a single fenced field that is configured to accommodate rugby league, rugby union and AFL. Full reconstruction of the field including drainage, irrigation and turf improvements was completed in 2007. Significant upgrading of the players change and club facilities within the grandstand building was completed in 2005.
The $920,000 Henson Park Upgrade is funded under the Australian Government Community Infrastructure Grants program and was announced prior to the 2010 Federal election. The upgrade will provide further improvement to the park facilities, in particular the grandstand, public toilets, canteens and scoreboard, to bring them to an appropriate standard for this high profile sports venue.
Project Works
The project includes the following works:
- Improvements to the grandstand building including replacement of the asbestos roofing and cladding materials, concrete spalling repairs, waterproofing, improved handrails and repainting.
- Reconstruction and resurfacing of the grandstand forecourt to provide an accessible entry ramp to the building.
- Refurbishment of the public toilets and sports canteen in the tower building (adjacent to the grandstand) and refurbishment of the canteen in the scoreboard building. This will include measures to improve water and energy efficiency.
- Installation of an electronic scoreboard to replace the existing manual scoreboard.
The works are being coordinated with the installation of players shelters funded under a NSW Community Building Partnerships grant to AFL NSW/ACT.
Designs for the upgrade have been prepared in consultation with the Newtown Jets and AFL ACT/NSW.
Construction Program and Work Times
Works commenced in October 2011 and are scheduled for completion mid March 2012.
Working hours are be 7am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday with no work permitted Sunday, Public Holidays and Saturdays adjacent to a public holiday.
Public Access
The grandstand areas and public toilets which have been closed during the construction will be reopened by 24 March 2012.
Project Launch
The project is scheduled to be officially launched by the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP on 24 March 2012 at 2:45pm in conjunction with the Newtown Jets Rugby League Football Club first game of the season.
Asbestos Removal
The works involved the removal of bonded asbestos roofing and ceiling cladding material from the grandstand building and the installation of new colourbond steel roofing and cement fibre cladding. This work was successful completed in late 2011 in accordance with WorkCover guidelines and permit requirements by an experienced asbestos removal contractor. The work will greatly improve the long term safety and amenity of the grandstand building. Further information regarding asbestos removal can be found at www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.
Heritage Significance
Henson Park was formerly the site of Thomas Daley's Standsure Brick Company brick pit which operated from 1886-1917. It was one of the largest brick works in Sydney occupying 3.6 hectares. In 1923 Marrickville Council purchased the site with NSW Government assistance through loan programs. Operations to drain and fill the brick pits and construct the park began in 1926 and the park was opened with a cricket match in 1933-34. The brick grandstand was constructed in 1936 and in 1938 Henson Park hosted the cycling events and the closing ceremony of the British Empire Games.
The park is listed as a heritage item in the Marrickville Local Environmental Plan 2010. The proposed upgrade has been designed in consultation with heritage consultants. The works will assist in preserving the heritage significance of the park by appropriately repairing and enhancing deteriorating building infrastructure.
Northern Boundary Wall
In a separate project funded by Council, works to retain and rectify structural failure of the brick wall along the northern boundary of the park are scheduled to commence in May 2012.
Further Information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the construction please contact the Citizens' Service Centre on 9335 2222.