Skinner Reserve Redevelopment rolling to completion
Published on 16 March 2022
New turf has been laid at Skinner Reserve in Braybrook during the final stages of a $3 million upgrade to the oval and surrounds.
More than 19,500 square metres of Couch Grass will be laid. Due to its ability to tolerate increased use, the new turf will provide for more sporting competition and training as well as ongoing general community use.
New subsurface drainage and irrigation systems are already in place under the Oval surface to facilitate ground maintenance and mitigate previous issues with water pooling on the surface. To improve safety and accessibility, four new lighting towers with energy efficient LED light fittings are being erected around the perimeter for use at night and other community activities and events.
A new 506m two-lane running track is also being built around the perimeter. Topped with synthetic turf to provide a non-slip durable surface, because it also dries faster than real turf, the track will also be able to be used all year round. The surface provides excellent shock absorption – perfect for runners of all abilities, from avid runners through to beginners and children.
Further facility upgrades include new coaches’ boxes, boundary fencing, AFL goal posts, goal safety netting, spectator seating and an electronic scoreboard – which will double as an outdoor screen for social community activities.
These works are nearing completion with the Oval due to be returned to the community, once the new grass has had time to become established, sometime in May – in time for the winter sporting season.
The Western Bulldogs Football Club (WBFC), who are new tenants at the Reserve, are funding half the costs of the redevelopment works to deliver the high quality turf to support their training and activities as well as broad community use.
For more information about the works, visit www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Skinner
Image caption: Mayor, Cr Anthony Tran and Western Bulldogs AFLW player Katie Lynch rolling the new turf.
Message from the Mayor, Cr Anthony Tran
It’s been a pleasure to see the Oval transform over the last few months and to be part of the rolling out of the new turf. Open space is such a valued asset of our community, as is community sport, and this upgrade, including the addition of high-class turf, will ensure the needs of the local community and our growing population can be met now and into the future. I look forward to welcoming our community – and visitors to our community – back to the Oval soon.
Message from Ameet Bains, CEO Western Bulldogs Football Club
It’s fantastic to see the progress of the Skinner Reserve oval works over the last few months. The laying of the new turf is a tangible sign we will soon be able to take advantage of these excellent new facilities.
We’re excited to have access to a high-quality training oval for our men’s and women’s teams, which is close to VU Whitten Oval and has historical significance to our people. An upgraded Skinner Reserve will also give us the opportunity to have a much greater presence with our local Community Foundation programs, and will provide a multi-use facility for the people of the west to enjoy.
Maribyrnong News
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