Northern Beaches Council has opened a $3.4 million upgrade of sporting facilities at Lionel Watts Reserve in Frenchs Forest, making it the area’s largest sporting venue.

Two full size synthetic football fields, a smaller junior football pitch plus a senior AFL oval are now in use and Northern Beaches Council Mayor Michael Regan expects to see plenty of happy faces enjoying the new facilities.

“Council has invested heavily into the project and we are very excited about what it offers the community on many levels.

“For me, it is one of our standout projects in recent years, providing a first class all-weather field to football, AFL, softball, cricket and touch football among other sports.

“Everyone knows how popular soccer is on the Northern Beaches when it comes to participation numbers, and it is great to have two more synthetic pitches at Lionel Watts in addition to what we already have at Cromer Park, Narrabeen Sports High and Melwood Oval in Forestville.

“No one likes to see their sporting games cancelled due to wet weather, and the more synthetic pitches we have in use, the more fixtures will be able to be completed.”

Mayor Regan went on to reveal the next planned location for synthetic sporting pitches on the northern beaches.

“Council is excited that the next synthetic conversion, at Millers Reserve in Manly Vale, has started its planning stage,’’ he said.

“We will continue to investigate other opportunities to convert other sporting fields and encourage more kids to participate in active recreation over the coming months,” the Mayor said.

Lionel Watts Reserve was handpicked by Council for an upgrade due to its status as the most intensively utilised sportsfield across the calendar year.

Further projects at the site, including the delivery of a skate park and a regional all-abilities children’s playground, are underway.

Media Enquiries: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au 9942 2678