Council has cemented its commitment to investing in local sporting grounds by awarding $16.18 million in construction contracts to upgrade several reserves to maximise use and meet community demand.
Deputy Mayor and joint Active and Inclusive Communities Portfolio Holder Councillor Michael Grech said Council had awarded a $10.98 million contract to five tenderers to upgrade seven reserves, including sportsground redevelopments, floodlighting projects and new irrigation.
"Through Council's Sport Facility Needs Analysis, and our Sportsground and Sportsground Floodlighting Audits we know that demand for local sporting facilities is incredibly high but current capacity is limited," said Cr Grech.
"By installing competition grade lights, we can get better use out of many of our grounds and make some headway in meeting the incredible demand.
"Works will take place over two years and will be scheduled seasonally to achieve optimal turf growth, while minimising disruption to local clubs."
Grounds and scope included in the contract are:
Packages |
Works timeline |
Bayside Secondary College, Paisley Campus, Williamstown – sportsground, irrigation and lighting works |
September 2019 – March 2020 |
Digman Reserve East, Newport – sportsground, irrigation and lighting works |
September 2019 – March 2020 |
Greenwich Reserve, Newport – irrigation works |
September 2020 – December 2020 |
Digman Reserve West, Newport – sportsground, irrigation and lighting works |
September 2020 – March 2021 |
Donald McLean Reserve Oval 1, Spotswood – Sportsground, lighting and irrigation works |
September 2019 – March 2020 |
WLJ Crofts Reserve, Altona North –sportsground, irrigation and lighting works |
September 2020 – March 2021 |
Donald McLean Reserve Oval 2, Spotswood – irrigation |
September 2020 – December 2020 |
Altona Green Park, Altona Meadows – lighting works |
January 2020 – March 2020 |
Fearon Reserve, Williamstown – lighting works |
January 2020 – March 2020 |
Joint Active and Inclusive Communities Portfolio Holder and Strand Ward Councillor Peter Hemphill said Council also agreed to a $4.59 million contract to design and construct a new pavilion and car park at JT Gray Reserve in Williamstown. The reserve is one of Council's major sport and recreation reserves, catering for regional soccer and cricket competition as well as informal recreation for local residents and surrounding industry workers.
"Having been involved with the master plan process for many years for this significant sporting reserve, I am particularly looking forward to this project being completed," said Cr Hemphill.
"The new pavilion and formalised car park will be the last pieces in the master plan puzzle and will complement the previous upgrade to the reserve's playing surface and floodlighting, creating an optimal playing surface for the resident soccer and cricket clubs.
"The new pavilion, designed in consultation with the tenant sporting clubs, will replace the portable buildings currently on site. They will better cater for future growth, while providing more efficient space, universal access, environmental sustainable design and improved amenities."
The upgrade will start in November 2019 and is expected to take about 12 months with minimal disruption to club activities.
Meanwhile, a $633,565 contract has also been awarded to restore and upgrade the original 1928 lacrosse pavilion at Fearon Reserve. The scope of works for the project include: installing new weatherboards, doors and insulation; replacing windows and flooring; repairing the verandah; and upgrading the accessible toilet and introducing an accessible car space and access ramp.
The Fearon Reserve project will start later this month and will take about four months to complete.
