The association’s Katrina King said the building was “badly planned”.

“We’ve got a beautiful canteen, which faces towards the river so we can’t see the kids play,” she said.

“There’s nowhere for people to park in and round the canteen.”

Ms King said it was now difficult to get parents onto the canteen roster.

“We’ve just been told this is what you’re getting and this is it, so I sit up there every week and I can’t watch my kids play sport,” she said.

“I just think it’s a really bad decision.”

The decision to double the size of the amenities block was made by Gunnedah Shire Council in 2016. Construction at the Maitland Street facility included an extension to the existing concrete slab, installation of a new access ramp and new canteen and amenities provisions. 

Gunnedah Shire Council said it consulted with Gunnedah Junior Rugby and Junior Cricket about the design and said there were a number of reasons behind the design decisions.

“The design of Donnelly Amenities was developed with security in mind to reduce the chance of vandalism or theft, respite from the sun and operational access between the old and new sections; and based on feedback received during user consultation,” acting director of infrastructure services, Daniel Noble.

“The design concept was run past predominant user groups of the sports fields, with security their main concern. The canteen windows face inwards so the whole facility can be secured by steel gates at the front and rear of the building.

“Unfortunately, facilities such as these are targets for vandalism and this design allows the canteen, the store and the change room facilities to be completely secured. The extension was also designed to cost-effectively incorporate the existing building and provide a shaded area between the two structures.”