The unveiling of Googong’s expanded sports precinct was met by pouring rain and gusty winds, but the inclement weather failed to wipe the smile off the ecstatic residents’ faces.

The 1.5-kilometre fitness loop, including six new exercise equipment sites, was officially opened today by the local Rotary Club and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.

Pressing for the site since 2017 has been the Googong Residents Association, and President Candice Cox says she’s sure the expansion will attract plenty of users.

“The Association have been involved in lobbying for equipment since 2017, so it’s really great to see this installed as part of the precinct,” Ms Cox says.  

Googong Project Director Malcolm Leslie says the loop is a fantastic addition to the Googong precinct.

“At Googong, we’re about everything community so anything that brings the community together is something we’re for,” he says.

Resident of Googong for eight years, Mayor of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Kenrick Winchester laughed, saying “It’s a great day for Googong – shame about the weather – but good news”.

“I know this is something the residents association have been talking about for a really long time, and it’s great that it’s come to fruition.

“Googong is a really great example of a sustainably designed and developed development. It’s a great place to live.”

The local Rotary Club were one of the spearheads to propose and fund the expansion of the Googong sports precinct, and John Askew says the organisation saw a need – so they did something about it!

“Our aim is to respond to community needs, like the need here for a better outdoor recreation area,” he says.

“In order to understand what the community wanted, we have had discussions with various families, we had a coffee day here, and we left brochures in letterboxes as well.

“We found out the area here was in need of exercise equipment, so we started some fundraising initiative and we have been able to raise the funds required to develop this area. Great community effort coming together.”

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