Elite vision for City Oval

$)/ :immera Mallee has provided its response to +orsham¶s City to 5iver 9ision and urged the region¶s football and netball clubs to provide constructive feedback on the proposed redevelop ment of the City Oval precinct. $ 'raft Masterplan is now open for pub lic feedback. It proposes to upgrade City Oval to enable regional standard $)/, cricket matches and other non sporting events to be hosted. $lthough it remains the :immera¶s pre mier sports facility, there has been no significant refurbishment at City Oval since the s and upgrades are also retuired to meet women¶s football and disability standards. The redevelopment concept recom mends that the oval be re orientated so that it runs north south, allowing for the extension of the playing field. This would retuire the closure of nearby +ocking Street. $ new multi purpose pavilion and clu brooms including fully accessible and female friendly facilities , covered spec tator areas and a second netball court for training and matches is also part of the concept plan. *eneral Manager %ruce 3etering said $)/ :immera Mallee supported the vi sion to transform +orsham¶s riverfront into an elite sporting hub. “The 'raft Masterplan directly aligns with the strategic priorities of the Com mission, which was for the development of a premier facility capable of hosting elite football,” Mr 3etering said. Mr 3etering also endorsed the propos al to develop a shared outdoor sports precinct at the +orsham Showgrounds precinct, currently occupied by the +or sham *reyhounds. $s a preliminary concept, this facil ity would caterfor athletics, soccer rugby fields and a synthetic hockey pitch as well as cricket and football. “:e also support the development of an additional outdoor facility to meet the increasing demands of clubs retuesting training venues within +orsham and the possible relocation of a club into +orsh am into the future,” Mr 3etering said. “:ith many of our regional clubs having a large proportion of +orsham residents within their playing mix, training within +orsham is becoming a more popular and retuested initiative from clubs. “There is also the possibility of a club close to +orsham looking to relocate in the future. Our vision would be to have one grassed field and one multipurpose synthetic field that between the two would accommodate the retuirements of football, soccer, athletics and hockey,” he said. $long with $)/ :immera Mallee, +or sham 5ural City Council has engaged with all City Oval user groups including +orsham 'emons )ootball and 1etball Club, +orsham City 3ipe %and and +or sham Cricket $ssociation. The reaction has been enthusiastic, with the issues of parking and perimeter fencing on match days also among the discussion points. $ll feedback captured will form part of the final Masterplan which will be pre sented to Councillors, who will have the final say on whether it is adopted.