'Game on' for $1.4m Mildura Recreation Reserve Redevelopment

Published on 14 February 2017

Work on Mildura Rural City Council’s $1.4 million Mildura Recreation Reserve redevelopment is well under way with concrete for two of the three new netball courts now laid.

Concrete for the third court is scheduled to be laid this Thursday. Surfacing and line-marking of all three courts is expected to be completed in April.

Meanwhile the footings, sewer and stormwater piping have all been installed for new netball change rooms, while construction of the slab floor for the new rooms started earlier this month.  

The three new netball courts and netball change rooms are among a massive suite of works identified in a comprehensive review of Council’s Mildura Recreation Reserve Master Plan two years ago, in consultation with key stakeholders.

Other works as part of the redevelopment include completion of the cricket turf wicket base ahead of new turf being laid last week, and installation of a new irrigation system for both Number 1 and 2 Ovals and the turf wickets, which is now operational.

Preparation works for a new car park are also well under way, with underground services including drainage and power going in earlier this month.

Significant progress has also been made to resurface Number 1 and 2 Ovals, with levelling works completed earlier this month ahead of oversewing with rye grass which was completed last week.

A specialist turf contractor will then manage the City Oval playing surface in the weeks leading up to the first Sunraysia Football and Netball League game of the 2017 season.

Funding for the project is through the Federal Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund ($723,000), and a joint contribution from Council ($468,500) and relevant clubs and associations ($255,000).

The start of works in late 2016 followed 12 months of consultation with Mildura Recreation Reserve user groups to determine the best timing for the redevelopment.

Mildura Rural City Councillor for Recreation and Sport Mark Eckel said the $1.4 million project represented one of the biggest upgrades to the Mildura Recreation Reserve since its inception.

“The Mildura Recreation Reserve has been, and continues to be, a vital community asset from a sporting perspective given the number of user groups that rely on the facility,” Cr Eckel said.

“Whether its cricket, netball or football, the Mildura Recreation Reserve is host to thousands of junior and senior sports men and women throughout the year.

“It’s also host to some of the biggest sporting events of the year, such as the SFNL grand finals.

“By undertaking these comprehensive upgrades, Council is ensuring that our current and future sports men and women enjoy the best in facilities for many years to come, as well as catering for the future growth of the region.”

All works are on track to be completed by the start of the SFNL season in April.

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au