EVANS HEAD SPORTING PRECINCT SHINES BRIGHTER

Evans Head’s Stan Payne Oval is shining brighter, with a major lighting upgrade now complete and local sporting groups able to make greater use of the popular sporting precinct.

State Nationals MP for Clarence Richie Williamson joined Stan Payne Oval user groups, Richmond Valley Council Deputy Mayor Cr Steve Morrissey and General Manager Vaughan Macdonald onsite earlier this week to mark the completion of the project, which was supported by a $200,000 NSW Government grant.

Richmond Valley Council also contributed more than $200,000 towards the project, demonstrating a strong shared commitment to improving sporting facilities for the Evans Head community.

“This is a fantastic outcome for Evans Head and it was great to be onsite to see the completed works and hear directly from the sporting groups who will benefit,” Mr Williamson said.

“Stan Payne Oval is such an important community sporting precinct, and the new lighting will give local clubs greater flexibility to train and play in the evenings, while providing a safer and better environment for players and spectators.

“I was pleased to be able to secure $200,000 towards this important project through the NSW Government, and I thank the Minister for Sport, Stephen Kamper, for supporting the funding.

“I also want to acknowledge Richmond Valley Council for its significant contribution and for its ongoing commitment to investing in the Evans Head community. It is great to see the NSW Government and Council working together to deliver an outcome that will have a lasting benefit for local sport.”

Richmond Valley Council Deputy Mayor Cr Steve Morrissey said the new lighting was a significant upgrade for Stan Payne Oval.

“The difference these new lights make is outstanding and it’s fantastic to see Stan Payne Oval looking this good,” Cr Morrissey said.

“The improved lighting gives local clubs much greater flexibility for evening training and games, while providing a safer and better playing environment.”

The upgrade includes 41 new floodlights and four 32-metre galvanised steel lighting poles, allowing all fields across the precinct to be used safely at night and in low-visibility conditions.

The improved facilities will benefit the many local sporting groups that use Stan Payne Oval, including rugby league, rugby union, touch football and cricket, while also supporting broader community recreation and events.

The project delivers on the objectives of the Stan Payne Oval Master Plan adopted by Richmond Valley Council in 2023 and represents a significant investment in the future of sport and recreation in Evans Head.

PHOTO (courtesy of Richmond Valley Council) L-R Liam Morgan (jumping) and Rodney Morgan of Evans Pirates Touch Football, RVC GM Vaughan Macdonald, Dale Layland – Evans Head Killer Whales Rugby, Cameron Taylor-Brown – Evans Head Cricket Club, Clarence MP Richie Williamson, Deputy Mayor Steve Morrissey, Paul Goodger, Jenny Morgan, Trent Morgan and Maya Morgan (jumping) – Evans Head Pirates Touch Football