Council to spend big on Vic Park, Alfredton upgrades

Cricket, football and soccer will be the big winners when upgrades to facilities are carried out at two Ballarat sporting venues.

Council confirmed on Monday that major works were set for Victoria Park and Alfredton Village Green following the award of contracts.

Victoria Park will get two new turf soccer pitches and a cricket wicket as part of the improvements. The works will include construction of subsurface drainage, an automatic irrigation system and the laying of new turf.

The development of a community space, sporting change rooms and upgrades to the existing dog club pavilion are also planned.

Over at Alfredton, the precinct's second oval will get new turf and a new synthetic cricket pitch. Works will include subsurface drainage and an irrigation system.

Ballarat Cricket Association president Rob Florence welcomed the upgrades.

"We are happy with the quality grounds that will be obtained once the work is completed - we are very happy about it," he said.

"And the additional building facilities at Vic Park will be of benefit as well."

Ballarat Football Netball League operations manager Shane Anwyl said the ground at Alfredton was long overdue for an overhaul.

"The announcement from the City of Ballarat is terrific news for the community in Alfredton, particularly the Ballarat Swans and Ballarat Storm football clubs," he said.

"It's long awaited upgrades needed there and this will further enhance the football facilities that we have got available in Ballarat."

The Victoria Park project will total $1million from council while the Alfredton project will consist of $900,000 from council and $100,000 from the Victorian Government.

"Ballarat is renowned for its sporting amenities and these new upgrades will further add to the strong sporting reputation of our region," City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor said. "We can all look forward to the opening of these projects and welcome the opportunities it will provide for our community."