The Northern Midlands Council plans to spend more than $700,000 on upgrading the Cressy Recreation Ground, with the $1.06 million project moving forward.
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The council will spend $708,155 on the project and received $354,076 from a Levelling the Playing Field grant for female-friendly change rooms and umpire facilities.
It's the home ground of the Cressy Bulldogs Cricket Club, which has three male teams. The club tried to set up a women's team last season, and had a female player in one of the squads early in the season, but was unsuccessful in attracting enough players.
However the council claims the ground is already utilised by female officials and will be used in future by Longford, Evandale and Perth football and cricket clubs when their ovals are being upgraded.
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The council lodged a development application, with itself, to upgrade player and umpire change rooms, the car park, lighting, storage, an overnight camping area and a RV dump point at the Macquarie Street oval.
Mayor Mary Knowles said the upgrades would not only benefit those who already used the facility, but would also enable the growth of organisations to allow for more female participation.
She said the upgraded umpire facilities would cater for the increasing number of female officials who frequent the facility.
"The project will expand the clubhouse to create two new change rooms each with an enclosed toilet, three separate enclosed showers and an open change area," she said.
"The provision of inclusive facilities will respect the privacy and comfort of female players, provide a sense of equality, and markedly assist with the retention of female football and cricket players, as well as the attraction of new players."
The Tasmanian government's grant program funds projects for inclusive facilities to encourage female participation in sport.
A Communities Sport and Recreation spokesperson said the council met the grant's criteria by providing female facilities to cater to current and future needs.
They said Longford and Evandale football and cricket clubs, who may use the ground in future, had a significant number of female players.
"The ground is used by the Cressy Cricket club which has five female officials. It is also used by Rural Youth, Cressy District High School and scouts," they said.
The DA is open for public comment on the council's website until August 7.
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