Council to help fund much-needed improvements to Moorabbin Oval to benefit community sport
Council has agreed to contribute $500,000 towards an estimated $2 million project to improve the poor condition of the oval at Moorabbin Reserve.
The major redevelopment works on the oval are due to kick off in early September and will ensure both grassroots and elite players have access to a high-quality playing field for the number of hours they need throughout their seasons.
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said Moorabbin Oval has been very well used over the years by both professional and community clubs, but no major upgrade works have been undertaken to the oval since it was built in the 1960s.
"These renovations to the oval are long overdue and are critical to meet the needs of our local football leagues who rely on the oval for training and matches, as well as the St Kilda Football Club," Cr Staikos said. "Crucially, these upgrade works will ensure our local leagues including the Sandringham Dragons, SMJFL and SNFL, and the local Auskick programs, won't have to find alternative sites for training and playing matches."
Deputy Mayor and Karkarook Ward Councillor Hadi Saab said we are proud to invest in this important project, both as the landlord of this site, and also as supporters of women's sport. "We are looking forward to the next season of AFLW, and these works will ensure that Moorabbin Reserve will be able to host matches so our community can enjoy elite footy at Linton Street once again," said Cr Saab.
In 2015 Council contributed $4 million to the $29 million first stage of the revitalisation of Moorabbin Reserve into a state-of-the-art football facility.
Stage Two works are currently underway and include facilities for women's football at the site (already completed) and the construction of the Danny Frawley Centre for Health & Wellbeing. The centre will provide a host of facilities, services and programs which will support the physical and mental health of both the facility users and our local community.
The total investment in improving the facilities at Moorabbin Reserve, once complete, will be $48M.
Council is in the last stages of finalising a new lease agreement with the St Kilda Football Club for the site, with the original lease created back in 1965.
The turf redevelopment works will include replacing the existing oval turf, installation of new drainage and irrigation systems, new oval perimeter fencing and footpaths and new goal posts. Works are expected to be completed by mid-February 2022 and will be available for the community to access outside the programmed activities.
