New fields of dreams: Kevin Flack at Ernie Smith Reserve, Moorebank, last Friday. Picture: Luke Fuda
MOOREBANK Liverpool District Hockey Club's new world-class field will be ready for the new season starting in March at Ernie Smith Reserve.
The $1.1 million surface is almost ready to be laid, which will give the club three synthetic fields.
Moorebank Liverpool District Hockey Club president and patron Kevin Flack said the synthetic surface, which was used at the London Olympics, will be laid in the next few weeks.
"The bitumen rubber foundation is now down and once the Polygrass is laid, then the eight new light towers will be installed," Flack said.
"We will be ready for the new season which starts in March.
"The synthetic surface is state-of-the-art and it had many good reports from teams which played on it at the London Olympics."
The state government grant was handed over to the club last September.
Sports surface designers and builders, Sports Technology International, began work on the project in October.
"We appreciate the state government support which is going to benefit our club and the community," Flack said.
Sports Technology International built the club's second synthetic field in 2005.
The first field was built in 1987 by another company.
Flack said when the new field opens it will give the club two playing fields to host club, state and international matches.
The third field is for designed for teams warming up and training.
"Ernie Smith, in my eyes, will be arguably be one of the best hockey playing facilities in NSW, up there with Sydney Olympic Park which hosted hockey at the Sydney 2000 Olympics," Flack said.
Moorebank Liverpool District Hockey Club was formed in 1930 and has a strong tradition of providing top players who have reached representative levels for NSW and Australia.