Two major upgrade projects at Torquay's Spring Creek Reserve have been unveiled to the community ahead of the venue's first match of the new football season.
Both projects represent a significant investment in improving facilities for local footballers and cricketers, as well as general community users of the reserve.
Female friendly change room upgrade
The reserve's home and away change rooms have been upgraded to modern, inclusive and accessible facilities to better support football and cricket participants of all abilities and genders.
The project included:
- Improvements to the shower and bathroom facilities, making them more suitable for female participants, in line with modern standards.
- Canteen upgrade.
- Improvements to the spectator toilets, including accessible and unisex spaces.
- Installation of a new hot water system.
The project was possible thanks to a $700,000 grant from the Australian Government through the Investing in Our Community Program.
The Australian Football League contributed $75,000 via its Football Facilities Fund, with Council providing $82,000.
Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker said: "This is a significant investment in a much-loved community facility. The new change rooms will help boost women's participation in footy and cricket, which is so important for the future of local sport."
"The funding has also delivered a canteen upgrade – something every club relies on to raise much-needed revenue."
"We've worked alongside the Surf Coast Shire, with support from AFL Victoria, to make sure these facilities keep up with the needs of Torquay's growing community."
McCartney Oval reconstruction
A $2.4 million, fully Council-funded reconstruction of the reserve's McCartney Oval has delivered a new playing surface of regional standard.
The oval renewal involved
- A complete rebuild of the playing surface and centre turf cricket wicket, with all new sub surface and turf installation.
- Improved drainage and irrigation.
- New fencing, pavement, perimeter kerbing and goal posts.
Councillor Liz Pattison said the oval was reconstructed to address long standing issues with surface quality, drainage and wear from high levels of use.
"McCartney Oval hosts more than 30 hours of weekly use during the football and cricket seasons, as well as being a popular place for the community to exercise," Cr Pattison said.
"The reconstructed oval looks incredible and will significantly improve the durability and performance of the playing surface for years to come.
"Together, these two projects have improved Spring Creek Reserve significantly and brought it up to standard with any of the best football and cricket facilities in the Geelong region.
"We thank the Australian Government and the AFL for its investment in the changeroom upgrade."
The oval and new changerooms were used for the first time by Torquay Football Club's senior women's footballers on Wednesday night.
The ground will host its first home game of the season on Saturday when the Tigers' men's team plays Queenscliff.
The oval works, carried out by Victorian Sports Group, were funded as part of Council's 2025-26 asset renewal budget.
Council acknowledges Torquay Cricket Club, which played away from home throughout the most recent cricket season to allow the works to take place, and thanks the general community for its patience in remaining off the surface while the turf established over recent months.
By the numbers
Some key statistics from the McCartney Oval upgrade:
- 3.4km of subsurface drainage laid
- 15,000m2 of irrigation
- Approximately 2,300 tonnes of drainage gravel used
- Approximately 6,500 tonnes of root zone sand used
- Approximately 670 rolls of turf used (25m x 1m)
- 457m of chain mesh fence installed.
