Upgrades to the pavilion and a new canteen at the Melba Neighbourhood Oval will help make game days a winner, the ACT Government says.
The $680,000 upgrades include heating and privacy screens at the entry to changing rooms; upgraded security lighting; and a series of female-friendly refurbishments.
Other upgrades to the pavilion include mirrors, vanities and shelving for personal items and individual toilet cubicles; a dedicated accessible toilet with foldaway baby change table; power points for accessories adjacent to wet areas; individual lockable shower cubicles and hygiene disposal points; and nonslip flooring.
Spectators cheering on their team will also benefit with three new public toilets (two unisex and one accessible), a new water refill station, and bike racks, as well as a new canteen featuring a digital art wrap highlighting some iconic Canberra images.
A barbecue area close by is securely caged off to allow storage and for groups to cook fundraiser brunches and lunches.
Sports to use the oval include rugby league, touch football, soccer and cricket.
Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation, said the upgrades would make playing and watching sport in West Belconnen a more comfortable experience for both home and visiting teams.
“These upgrades will go a long way to supporting community sport,” Ms Berry said.
“Sport provides many benefits with physical activity, but it also helps on a social level, forming new friendships as well as bringing communities together, with volunteers helping to make match days a success for spectators, friends, and family.”
Matt Brown, president of the Belconnen United Sharks Junior Rugby League Club, said: “We are thrilled with the much-anticipated upgrades to the changeroom, bathroom, and canteen facilities at Melba Oval.
“These enhancements will significantly improve the experience for our players, volunteers and the entire community, fostering a more welcoming, inclusive and comfortable environment for everyone in our club.
“As all sports, including the great game of rugby league, look to continue to grow female participant numbers in community sports, having more dedicated change rooms enhances our ability to make everyone feel welcome, valued and respected as they engage in junior sports in large part thanks to our new and upgraded facilities.”
Lauren Coates, Cricket ACT’s infrastructure manager, was also thrilled.
“For cricket in the Territory to continue on its current nation-leading trajectory of growth, we need to ensure male and female players of all abilities are able to compete in the best possible facilities, and we’re excited to see what impact these and other facility improvements around the region will have on our great game.”
The Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund, in collaboration with Cricket Australia and Cricket ACT, contributed $25,000 to the upgrades to the pavilion.
In June, the pavilion at the Hackett Neighbourhood Oval was upgraded, and the pavilion at Gordon District Playing Fields is being refurbished after vandalism and arson attacks.
