Hockey players in Ballarat are celebrating being back on their home deck – only this time the new deck is a whole lot different.
The complete replacement of the Prince of Wales Park synthetic turf is now complete, heralding the start of a new era for the sport in Ballarat.
The $2.04 million project required a full replacement of more than 6000 square metres of pitch including the stabilisation of the sub-base, a compacted gravel layer, an asphalt base, a shock-pad, and a new playing surface.
Design work to refurbish and extend the existing changerooms is now under way, ensuring the facilities provide for male and female participants fairly and equally.
The new changerooms are currently being designed to support the City of Ballarat’s Active Women and Girls Strategy, with construction to begin late next year which will allow for an uninterrupted 2025 hockey season.
City of Ballarat Councillor, Cr Des Hudson joined the Hockey Ballarat athletes to celebrate the completion of the project on Wednesday, inspecting the state-of-the-art upgrade.
“We know there is increasing demand for enhanced hockey infrastructure in Ballarat, that’s why this upgrade was so important,” he said.
“The new pitch looks incredible and from what I’m already hearing after the club started accessing the pitch again, is great to play on.
“We thank Hockey Ballarat and all hockey players in Ballarat for their patience while we undertook this vital upgrade.”
Hockey Ballarat president Jo Shepherd welcomed the project’s completion.
“Hockey Ballarat and the local hockey community are thrilled to play on the newly resurfaced Prince of Wales pitch,” she said.
“We extend our gratitude to the facilities working group and the City of Ballarat for their dedication in completing this important project.
“Moving forward, Hockey Ballarat is focused on further strengthening community participation, encouraging players of all ages to get involved.”
The City of Ballarat expects to tender for construction of the new changeroom facilities in the 2025/26 financial year.
