Local sporting clubs using the Henry Mathieson Oval are celebrating after a $320,000 funding announcement for new amenities.

Council’s deputy general manager infrastructure Shane Wilson said double changerooms and canteen fit-out would be completed for the summer season.

Mr Wilson said there was a 12-week wait on construction of the pre-fabricated building with installation expected in September.

“We will use local trades to do the concreting and associated works,” he said. “It needs to be finished by December in time for summer sport.”

The old amenities block will be demolished and the new toilets will become publicly accessible.

A Crown Reserves grant is being sought for the erection of perimeter fencing to cater for gate entry during sporting fixtures and to exclude kangaroos from the ground.

ProTen cans season but knockout hope

Narrandera Lizards senior players have been left gutted with no hope of playing out the 2020 season.

ProTen Community Cup league acting treasurer Jamie Parsons said after the withdrawal of further clubs it had been decided the ProTen Cup would not go ahead this year.

“As disappointing as this is, all six clubs have stated they are 100 per cent committed to returning and competing in the 2021 competition,” Parsons said. “Our remaining clubs, the Rankins Springs Dragons and Narrandera Lizards may still look to compete in friendly matches against other interested opposition this year.

“It’s also possible our clubs may hold a gala day similar to a knockout or 9s at a later date to benefit our hard-hit communities.”

ProTen director and Lizards secretary/treasurer Shaun Lyons ruled out any chance of intertown games and said the team was disappointed.

“We were the last ones standing,” Lyons said. “It was pretty disappointing but there is not much the Narrandera club could have done about it.

“We will now be looking forward to next year.”

He is confident senior Lizards will not leave looking for a game in Group 9.

“They will stay around here and have a season off.

“There is a possibility in August/September for the group getting together for a social event or 9s at Goolgowi to raise money for Beyond Blue, so the boys may get a run yet.”

The club has kicked off its fundraising campaign again with the reopening of the Narrandera Bowling Club.

As president of the Lizards Junior Rugby League, Lyons is now looking forward to the season kicking off on July 18.

Training has re-started at Henry Mathieson Oval with more than 50 young boys and girls aged five to 15 years.

“We are planning to train for the next couple of Thursdays and then start a Saturday competition of local players,” Lyons said. “We are over the moon with the funding announcement for the oval – it was good Council has stepped in after realising there has been a lot of traffic there in the last few years.

“There will be a new toilet block, dressing shed and update to the canteen.

“The clubs are working together as a group to improve the facilities.

“We are also looking at erecting kangaroo proof fencing and do some top dressing.”