Sixty year old irrigaiton pumps, irrigation lines and sprinklers will be replaced as part of a $1.355 million upgrade underway at the Cootamundra Country Club.
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Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) is managing the project for the Cootamundra Country Club with funds from the NSW Government's Stronger Communities Fund.
The project will see the complete renewal of Cootamundra Golf Course's 60-year-old failing irrigation system ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Club .
The system uses CGRC treated water for irrigation.
Founded in 1895 the course and is the oldest 18-hole country course in New South Wales.
In addition to serving its members, the Club provides a wide range of sporting and passive recreational facilities to the wider community of Cootamundra.
The project will also see the construction of a shed to house new pumps, and the construction of a new maintenance shed to meet Work Health Safety requirements.
Staff amenities will be upgraded golf cart paths constructed to minimise compaction across the course and improve pedestrian and public safety.
The club believes the addition of safe cart paths will increase the "playing life" of golfers.
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Work is currently well underway, with trenches dug to house the new irrigation lines, the pump shed and equipment is almost complete and the concrete slab for the new maintenance shed has been installed.
CGRC mayor Cr Abb McAlister said the project will contribute to the vibrancy of Cootamundra and the health and well-being of its residents.
He believes it will also assist with the profitability of the club, allow the course to be used all year round and allow for extra tournaments to be scheduled.
It will also, he said see lower operating costs of the automated sprinkler system, and lower electricity costs achieved by using "off peak" supply for irrigation pumping.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, who helped secure the state funding for the prokect, said she was excited to see this project under way.
"The Cootamundra Country Club has a proud history, and this project will see the Club continue to offer recreational activities to residents and visitors alike," Ms Cooke said.
"The Project will bring some wonderful benefits for the health of the club's fairways and greens, which means a great future for Cootamundra Country Club.
"The improvements to the course will allow a greater role in Regional, State and National tournaments by ensuring effective watering, erosion control and maintenance.
"This is going to be a fantastic facility for the Cootamundra-Gundagai community and I look forward to seeing the end results," Ms Cooke said.
Cr McAlister added: "This project will also be the enabler that makes the Club's ambition to gain major Championship events and thereby deliver community participation and economic benefit."
