Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Check Out The Chess, Mate

Media release

22 February 2018

Visitors to Blacktown Showground can now enjoy a game of chess on a grand scale.

Blacktown City Council has placed a giant outdoor chess set – the first of its kind for Blacktown City – in Blacktown Showground Plaza. 

The $1,000 project was jointly funded by Council and the Blacktown City Lions Club as part of Lions Clubs International’s 100^th anniversary celebrations.

“Lions clubs around the world were encouraged to find centenary projects that will serve the community,” Blacktown City Lions Club President Rebel Hanlon said.

“The outdoor chess set is our legacy to future generations. 

“It is something that will appeal to people of all ages and abilities and bring the popular sport of chess out into the open.”

Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali MP said Council has worked with the Blacktown City Lions Club on a number of community service projects.

“Last year, the club and Council launched an outdoor ping-pong table in the Civic Plaza in Blacktown CBD – an initiative that has proved to be very popular with local young people,” Mayor Bali said.  

“The outdoor chess set is Council’s second project with Blacktown Lions to celebrate their centenary, and we are thrilled to be supporting them again with their latest contribution to the City.”

Mayor Bali said the Showground Plaza’s popularity made it the ideal spot for the chess set.

“The Plaza is one of the busiest places in Blacktown CBD, and already boasts fantastic play areas and facilities for the community to use,” he said.

“We’re confident the chess set will provide a new and engaging activity for people of all ages.”

The outdoor chess set is located on the grass behind The Grounds Keeper Café in the Blacktown Showground Plaza.

It will be placed out during the café’s opening hours. 

Mayor Bali contemplates his next move with eight-year-old Kaiden Williams from Blacktown.

Blacktown City Lions Club vice president Geoff Harrison, Councillor Kathie Collins, Blacktown City Lions Club board member Sherie Harrison, Blacktown City Lions Club secretary Rachael Hanlon and Mayor Bali.