Upgrades to the Phillip District Enclosed Oval are set to start, the ACT Government announced. A new, standalone community sports pavilion will be constructed; the Michael O’Connor Grandstand will be refurbished; LED lighting will be upgraded to support night-time use; the oval will be upgraded; and there will be additional car parking spaces.

Design and consultation for the upgrade is already complete, with input from the community and local sporting organisations including Canberra Royals Rugby Union Football Club, Canberra Region Rugby League, Woden Valley Rams Rugby League Club, Weston Creek Molonglo Cricket Club, and Cricket ACT.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the upgrades to the oval would “bring it into line with other high-quality enclosed facilities around Canberra”.

“The ACT Government is investing in our city and in infrastructure that is built for Canberra, to ensure that our city continues to be one of the most liveable in the world,” Mr Barr said.

To help other local clubs access more and improved spaces to play, the ACT Government will increase grant funding for its Sport and Recreation Grants Program. An additional $4.15 million over four years will be made available for capital projects that improve both community-owned assets and government assets.

This investment will ensure funding for more community sporting infrastructure projects and upgrade Canberra’s ageing sports infrastructure base. Grants will open for applications soon.

“There is a continuing need for sporting infrastructure to be upgraded so that existing facilities meet the current and future needs of the sporting community,” Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation, said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing more improvements made to local sporting facilities in 2023, as well as encouraging more clubs to apply for grants to build and improve facilities.

“This investment builds on our new sports strategy CBR Next Move by ensuring our places and spaces for sport and active recreation are fit for purpose.”