The state government has contributed $300,000 to council’s $1 million and a further $150,000 from AFL NSW.

“This announcement is welcome news for the project. We are an active and growing community in Lake Macquarie and our City needs the infrastructure to support our community’s love for sport and recreation,” Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said.

“I know the local clubs are very excited about the construction of the new amenities building. It will improve the sporting outcome not just for the local sporting teams, but also visiting clubs and everyone that uses the facility.”

“This is great news for users as the new clubhouse will boast four large change rooms, referees rooms, new bathrooms, a clubroom, storage room and a new canteen. It will replace the existing building and has been designed and located to improve the use of the grounds,” Hunter parliamentary secretary Scot MacDonald said.

“The upgraded club house will benefit our women’s and girl’s teams as we will be able to provide dedicated female changerooms,” Warners Bay AFC president Mark Philpott said.

“We’ve seen strong growth in our female teams, we previously had a single women’s team and we now field six women’s and girls teams.”

Minister for Racing Paul Toole said $300,000 toward the project was supported through the Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants program, funded by a contribution from the state’s registered clubs to reinvest profits from gaming machines back into community projects.

The funding announcement was made Tuesday morning with Charlestown Liberal candidate Jenny Barrie

Ms Barrie said it was fantastic to see a collaborative approach delivering a much needed upgrade to a popular community asset.

“The upgrade includes undercover viewing areas close to the grounds and will allow the fields to be used for major AFL and Cricket carnivals. This will help encourage more participation in sports, and events held at the field.”