Port Stephens Council approved a $20,000 mayoral grant toward the project last week in addition to an earlier commitment for $30,000.

The grant was among a suite of projects to receive financial assistance from the council last week including $5000 toward a new library at Mount Kanwary Public School and $3312 to complete the Boat Harbour lookout.

“They’ve got a very active club at Nelson Bay and I think it will be very popular here,” the mayor of Port Stephens, Cr Bruce MacKenzie said.

“It’s an activity can enjoy, like bowls, but they don’t have to bend down so far.”

Cr MacKenzie would like to see the court built between the Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Hall and the Men’s Shed, approved May this year for Boomerang Park.

“A croquet club wouldn’t need separate amenities or a club house, they’ll be able to use the Men’s Shed,” he said.

“I took up the cause from ex-councillor Josh Hodges sometime around 2010 when we allocated $30,000 to a croquet court.”

Cr MacKenzie said he was impressed with what the Nelson Bay club has achieved. He’s called a meeting on August 24 for anyone interested in forming a club in Raymond Terrace.

“It’s my hope that this financial assistance provides another facility to encourage people to use Boomerang Park,” he said.   

Construction began on the Men's Shed-come-community facility in July when Cr MacKenzie turned the first sod. The 655 square metre building will be built in the south-east corner of Boomerang Park.

An access road to the facility will also be constructed via the existing car park for the Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens Centre off Irrawang Street.

The plans were unanimously approved despite objections from the Boomerang Park Action Group.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the new building complete and an official opening when the Raymond Terrace Men's Shed moves in early next year," Cr MacKenzie said.

The croquet meeting is scheduled for 7pm on August 24 in  the committee rooms at the Port Stephens Council administration building.