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Synthetic fields at Bicentennial Park is a step closer after Bayside Council accepted a $1.5 million tender for the project. The news has been welcomed by Rockdale City Suns Football Club who were eagerly awaiting progress after the plan was first adopted in October 2015. The former Rockdale Council had been investigating introducing the new fields for several months before a proposal was put to councillors to install the fields at the Ador precinct and Bicentennial precinct at an estimated cost of $3.2 million. Instead, in a split decision, council adopted a motion that would see Arncliffe Park and the Bicentennial precinct as the preferred hubs. In May Administrator Greg Wright approved the $1.5 million tender to Turf One for a full size synthetic field. Council will work with Rockdale City Suns Football Club and Turf One on future maintenance on the field. Construction is scheduled to begin in August and be completed by the end of January. Rockdale City Suns Football Club president Dennis Loether said the decision to install synthetic fields was long overdue. ‘’We’re very relieved, it’s been a long time coming,’’ he said. ‘’There’s a chronic need for these type of facilities and we’ll be the first in the area. ‘’We’re stretched as it is so it can’t come soon enough.’’ Mr Loether said at least 34 fixtures this year were washed out because of the state of the pitch, which puts the club at a distinct disadvantage. He said the club will work with council on the future maintenance on the ground. ‘’We’re already responsible for all the maintenance for the ground and our surrounding training facilities so we’re confident that we have the experience, knowledge and track record meaning it won’t be an issue,’’ he said. A council spokesman said progress on a synthetic field at Arncliffe Park was taking longer because of the flood risk. The current timeframe would see tenders opened early next year with work beginning after the football season in September. Bayside Council has also thrown its support behind a bid by the St George Football Association for Federal Government funding for a synthetic sporting field at J Graham or the adjoining site at Ador Reserve. Council resolved to write a letter of support for the association’s grant application and has also agreed to enter into negotiations for the lease of the field by the association.

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