The stadium was advised last week that junior sports would be allowed to resume from July 1, and was told on Wednesday senior community sports would also be able to re-start.
The announcement came just one day after NSW had its first day of no new Coronavirus cases being diagnosed since March.
Stadium manager John Arthur welcomed the news, and said the sporting community can’t wait to get back in the doors.
‘‘Hearing the good news of adult sport returning as well as juniors will make everyone very happy,’’ Arthur said.
‘‘All our user groups have been so keen.
‘‘No doubt the return for adult sport will have its own conditions that need to be met, and we plan on following these to ensure everyone is safe.
‘‘Although we have no cases in Deni at the moment, we know the government and governing bodies are putting plans in place to ensure a second outbreak does not happen.
‘‘More information is pending though, and I just hope the adult sport announcement also includes indoor sport stadiums.
‘‘I’ll have the stadium perfectly clean and ready to go for the return of all the user groups either way.’’
Before the world went in to Coronavirus lockdown, Arthur said interest in the stadium was increasing.
He said some competitions were achieving record numbers.
Renovations to the stadium finished earlier this year likely contributed to the stronger interest.
‘‘We had big numbers coming through for basketball and netball competitions before the pandemic.
‘‘We had a record number of men’s basketball teams, 10 mixed netball teams, six ladies netball teams and a successful start to the mixed basketball too.’’
Arthur said the silver lining has been that the interest has not waned during lockdown.
‘‘I’ve had people calling me asking if they can come in to shoot around,’’ he said.
‘‘I even received a call from the father of Australian Boomers local Jock Landale, who inquired about the use of the courts for a shoot around for his son.
‘‘I had to say no to him, which was hard as he’s one of our Australian representatives.
‘‘I don’t think it will be hard to get going once we are allowed to open the doors, with so many people keen to play.’’
The government has mandated that until a COVID-19 vaccine is found, physical distancing and good hand hygiene must continue.
In order to ensure a return safely, stadiums must:
● Develop and comply with a COVID-19 safety management plan.● Operate with restricted numbers — one person per four square metres and up to 50 people in each of the existing seated food and drinks areas, whichever is the lesser. This number excludes staff members on the premises.● Keep contact details of persons entering the premises.
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