Moreland prepares for Coburg City Oval redevelopment

The redevelopment will see the heritage listed grandstand and pavilion redeveloped to incorporate new inclusive changerooms, refurbished social and office spaces and restored grandstand seating. City Oval is the home to the Coburg Cricket Club, one of the largest community clubs in the north west metropolitan area, and will help the club build on its successful women’s and girls program.

The investment is part of the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund, which provides almost $4.7 million annually (until 2020-21) to fund improved community cricket infrastructure, in partnership with all levels of government, schools and other partners.

The impetus to increase funding for community facilities came from the first ever National Cricket Facility Audit (Audit) which assessed more than 5,500 sites and 7,100 ovals across the country.

The Audit showed that only 20 per cent of facilities in Victoria had inclusive changerooms and that this was an impediment to increasing the number of women and girls in participating in cricket.

Cricket Victoria’s Government Relations and Infrastructure Manager, Anthony Ilott, said the project had been well supported locally and was a result of all stakeholders working together.

“City Oval is the premier community ground in Moreland and the redevelopment is a great example of sports, Council and the Victorian Government working together on key infrastructure projects” Ilott said.

The President of Coburg Cricket Club, Darren Scott, shared those sentiments.

“We are really excited about the opportunities this redevelopment will present.  It’s fantastic that Cricket Victoria, Moreland Council and the State Government are investing in the future of cricket at Coburg City Oval”. Scott said.

The Mayor of Moreland City Council, Cr Natalie Abboud, welcomed the investment by Cricket Victoria.

“This much needed investment in this iconic sporting facility in Coburg will result in long term benefits for our Moreland community, creating a facility that will allow increased access and participation and a diversity of activities and opportunities” Cr Abboud said.

Construction for the project is scheduled to commence in 2020.

For further information or to apply for the 2019/20 round of funding through the ACIF, please contact Cricket Victoria on (03) 9085 4000.