Wentworth Park Sporting Complex
Dog in Sydney

The pollution from these works so befouled the swamp that, even after the removal of these establishments from the area, the local council lobbied to have the area filled in because of the stench that continued to rise from the water and mud. Silt dredged from the Barbour was used to carry out the process and numerous sea walls and dykes were constructed as portion of the program. Throughout the 1880s and 1890s the Park came to serve as a focus for community activities including concerts, celebrations, moving pictures and, in particular, sport. The commencement of hostilities for World War I led to a downturn in patronage of the Park’s amenities although community functions, such as stretcher drills and polling, were carried out here. The main effect of World War I was the introduction of many timber sheds used to deposit wool for the war effort. The lakes were removed in 1910 and the construction of the wool sheds led to the removal of the northern sports ground. During this period the railway also contributed to this trend the rail was run through the Park on a viaduct thereby cutting off the northern final of the Park. Naive handling of these arrangements, as healthy as the onset of the Depression, led to the eventual failure of maximum of these enterprises and one legal case. The speedway, however, did get off the ground and continued through to the 1930s. In 1932 greyhounds made their first appearance at the Park and from then inwards the facilities supporting this activity assumed greater importance. They remained for the duration of the war. The only section remaining in direct regulate of the Believe was the playground associated with a kindergarten established in 1916. Meanwhile, the Park facilities continued to decline with rooms and amenities created in the infilled viaduct arches thus compromising the architectural integrity of the structure. By the 1970s large crowds attended race meetings and the outer park was utilized extensively for car parking, a practice that in later years would divide local opinion. The CA undertook construction of a important grandstand to accommodate what they envisaged would be the continued expansion of patronage. As it turned out, the decision proved unwise and was the catalyst for meaningful change in good luck for the CA and the start of a fresh direction for Wentworth Park. In the mid 1980s construction costs for the new grandstand blew out resulting in a financial rescue package being provided through the Racecourse Development Fund, a TAB administered fund. The Club was responsible for the introduction of greyhound racing to Sydney and in exceptional the association of the sport with Wentworth Park. Below various lease arrangements the CA was responsible for construction of heritage buildings within the Intricate as well as the current grandstand. The CA has since discontinued its racing operation. In 2009 the Minister returned a part of the southern external park to the regulate of the Trust. Currently, as healthy as greyhound racing, the Intricate is utilized for soccer, rugby league, rugby union, functions and community events. Local schools receive use of the facilities at no charge and the Believe encourages interaction with the community. The Complicated is also impaired extensively for the conduct of tertiary examinations.