Let the games begin

IMPROVEMENTS to Fairy Meadow's North Dalton Park have paved the way for top-level Aussie rules and cricket matches to be played at the ground.

The $1.3 million project saw new lights and an underground irrigation system installed at the ground, as well as extensive field reconstruction.

The ground's car park was also graded and resurfaced.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Alex Darling said the grounds were now of a high enough standard to host state level cricket matches and pre-season AFL games.

Illawarra cricket stalwart Ivor Ewin joined the Lord Mayor, Cr Val Zanotto and Wollongong Australian Rules Football Club president Ian Ferguson at the ground last week to view the improvements.

"It's magnificent," Mr Ewin said. "I've been associated with cricket here since the 1940s and I never thought I'd see a ground (in the area) that you could play first-class cricket on.

"It's a real achievement and the thing that pleases me is that it has the support of Cricket NSW."

Work on the ground started in September last year and was completed on time and within budget, ready for the Aussie Rules pre-season schedule.

The $1.3 million bill was paid for by Wollongong Council, the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, the Australian Football League, Cricket NSW and local clubs and associations.Work on the ground started in September last year and was completed on time and within budget, ready for the Aussie Rules pre-season schedule.

The $1.3 million bill was paid for by Wollongong Council, the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, the Australian Football League, Cricket NSW and local clubs and associations.