"As happy as a pig in you know what."
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Lithgow and Portland District Cricket Association president Danny Whitty was thrilled to find out Lithgow City Council moved to grant a fee waiver to the association.
"I'm as happy as a maggot in a meat pie," he said.
"We couldn't be more pleased with this result, it was very favourable for us."
At the recent council meeting on Monday, February 24 council agreed to move that the association only need to pay the bond and hire fees of Tony Luchetti Sportsground, as per the adopted fees and charges for senior cricket training and competition for the next three years.
They also endorsed to have renewed oversight of the fees every 12 months until 2023/24 season at which time the arrangement will be reconsidered by council.
"So depending on the development of the club and how many teams we have and so forth, all that will be taken into consideration on an annual basis," Mr Whitty said.
It was also requested that Lithgow District Cricket Association continue to identify their draw and training schedule as far in advance as possible to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the ground booking process.
This comes as a result of council administration staff meeting with LDCA representatives on Monday, February 10 to discuss the fees for hiring fields in the Lithgow LGA.
At this meeting the cricket association raised their concerns with the reducing numbers of players with membership in the senior league.
It was addressed that they do not have a running canteen at games, nor do they charge an entry fee for spectators.
It was advised that with either of the three options previously provided to the committee it would not be viable for the club and its members to continue operation.
"We really have to thank Lithgow City Council for their decision, we are so happy to have come to this result," Mr Whitty said.
Mr Whitty also wanted to take time to thank Russel Jefferies on behalf of the cricket association for his hard work.
"We need to thank Russel for his diligence in ensuring the toilet facilities at Glanmire Oval at the hockey complex are open for the teams," he said.
"It has never been a problem for him and he does it every week."
Councillor Joe Smith said that this was a mutually beneficial result for both council and the cricket association.
"For council to work in consultation with the cricket association and have a good productive meeting with the cricketers, it is a good result all the way around," he said.
Cr Wayne McAndrew said that it would be important to reconsider the prices after every season to see how it has all gone.
Mayor Ray Thompson agreed.
"I'm with Cr McAndrew on this one, it is very important to do that because all sports need to be treated exactly the same," he said.
