BRADMAN Museum is to become home to the world’s only International Cricket Hall of Fame (ICHOF) following Wingecarribee Council’s unanimous approval of the $6.5 million centre on Wednesday.
Due to open in late 2010, the ICHOF will showcase all aspects of the game and incorporate the latest research from galleries, museum and interactive games creators.
Bradman Foundation chairman Michael Ball said the ICHOF was a major milestone for the Southern Highlands and Bradman Museum.
“Bradman Oval has always been viewed as the spiritual home of cricket as it is the scene of Don Bradman’s early triumphs,” he said.
“Now the complex will be enlarged and enhanced by a splendid new building which will house the International Cricket Hall of Fame and an interactive museum based on the international game of cricket with a focus on the greats of the game from all over the world.”
“We believe the International Cricket Hall of Fame is a community asset, one which will bring more tourists to our area and one which will make us all proud.
“We are grateful to the council and residents, with whom we have worked in partnership to deliver this important new addition.”
As well as honouring elite players, the ICHOF will look at other aspects of the game, including umpiring and game technology, international media, sports physiology, spectator experience, global venues, and administration.
“We are also aiming to deliver a significant visitor experience online through the internet and website,” Mr Ball said.
The Bradman Museum extensions were designed by Sydney-based architects Turner & Associates and funded by a Federal Government grant to recognise the Centenary of Sir Donald’s birth.
In contrast to the controversy surrounding the first stage of the Bradman Museum in 1989, Council received only six submissions on the ICHOF: two in favour, two against, and two supporting the proposal on the condition paths through Glebe Park were upgraded.
St Jude’s Street resident Michael Doughty, who lives across from the museum, said the extensions would block his views to the oval and Glebe Park, and was also concerned with the size of the building and the removal of five trees from the park.
“It sends a message that the preservation of one piece of history is more valued than another,” he said.
APP Corporation regional manager Jim Gilvary told Council the building was designed with a low roofline, while still providing space for the new exhibitions.
Where the existing building presents a blank wall to Glebe Park, the interior of the new extensions would be visible from the park, he said.
The exterior wall facing Glebe Park was designed to reflect the picket fence around the oval and the notches on Sir Donald Bradman’s first bat.
While supporting the project, Deputy Mayor Ken Halstead, Cr Jim Clark and Cr Larry Whipper expressed “misgivings” about the landscaping, removal of trees and the scale of the building, with Cr Whipper questioning the gain to the community in return for the loss of part of the park.
General manager Mike Hyde said Bradman Foundation was spending around $80,000 on Glebe Park, including provision of 100,000 litre rainwater tanks which would supply water for irrigation to the park, and a $15,000 contribution to playground equipment in the park.
“We believe we are getting a good deal,” Mr Hyde said.
Mayor Duncan Gair said the shire would benefit from a $6.5 million investment in the museum, and spin-off benefits for tourism.
“It’s a very good development and something we’ll be proud of as a Council and a community,” he said.
The ICHOF will open in late 2010.
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