SIEC ARENA UPGRADES

Equestrian NSW is proud to support the current works being undertaken by Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC) to upgrade the Indoor and Arena 6 surfaces to international standards.

Early in 2017, Equestrian NSW drafted a proposal to upgrade the Indoor and Arena 6, including international research, sand specifications, economic contribution of equestrian to the NSW economy, recent initiatives to improve the utilisation of SIEC, testimonials (elite dressage horse owner Julie Farrell, vet James Whitfield, Olympic medallists Stuart Tinney and Shane Rose), endorsement from Equestrian Australia, technical options and a detailed cost estimate.

The submission was presented to Stuart Ayres, the NSW Minister for Sport, in March, with strong support from the NSW Office of Sport. Julie Farrell and Brett Parbery brought passion to the table in stating their compelling arguments for the project to poceed. Minister Ayres approved the funding and invitations to tender were issued in October. A Sport Advisory Panel was formed, including John Vallance, Julie Farrell and Bruce Farrar, to assist SIEC with the tender evaluation process and recommend a preferred contractor.

Otto Sport Australia was selected, to supply and install ebb and flow watering systems, cushion mats and competition surfaces with superfine, sub-angular silica sand with geotextile fabric and fibres. Work commenced in Nov 17 and is expected to be completed in Jan 18.

Bruce Farrar, CEO of Equestrian NSW said “the upgraded surfaces will be a game changer for SIEC, enabling all horse and rider combinations to perform at their best. They will also showcase our Australian-based elite athletes towards WEG and Olympic selection. We pay our sincere thanks to Minister Ayres and the NSW Office of Sport for supporting equestrian in NSW and look forward to further development of the site”.