Some of Canberra’s most popular sportsgrounds have better cricket facilities, irrigation, new LED lighting, and are ‘friendlier’ for female players.
“Our city is growing, and the ACT Government is committed to delivering more and better sporting facilities to help Canberrans stay healthy and engaged in the sports they love,” said Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation.
Since the beginning of 2020, female friendly improvements have been rolled out across 13 locations – including pavilions at the district playing fields in Curtin, Charnwood, and Hawker, and at the Woden Park Enclosed Oval.
Earlier this year, Amaroo District Playing Fields and Bonner Neighbourhood Oval both received LED lighting upgrades – creating greater flexibility to schedule events and enable games to be played after sunset.
The softball grounds in Hawker and the district playing fields in Mawson and Kambah will also get similar upgrades in the next financial year.
These boosts follow significant investment in the Gungahlin Tennis Centre, Phillip Oval, and the future Throsby Home of Football.
Drainage will be improved at the Higgins Neighbourhood Oval and the Nicholls Enclosed Oval. Both projects are expected to get underway early in the new year.
Next year, the Greenway Enclosed Oval will have female friendly improvements, and cricket facilities at the Melba and Taylor neighbourhood ovals will be improved.
Ms Berry said she was thrilled so many projects in the current program had been completed, even though the funding cycle is only a few months old.
These investments in sporting facilities form part of the ACT Government’s largest ever infrastructure program announced in the 2021-22 ACT Budget, Ms Berry said.
“Following lockdown, organised sports now have the green light – and many of us are itching to get out and enjoy the sports we love as we head into Christmas,” Ms Berry said.
“I look forward to seeing teams out on the fields, and encourage people to stay active and safe this summer season.”
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