Plans to install a new synthetic soccer pitch at Harvest Home Road Recreation Reserve in Epping will soon be underway.
City of Whittlesea administrators voted at this month’s council meeting to proceed with plans to replace the old outdated pitch with a new synthetic pitch and lighting for tenant Whittlesea Ranges Football Club and the wider community.
The redevelopment is predicted to increase usage by 17 hours per week and allow more opportunities to develop the club’s junior and female programs.
Whittlesea Ranges FC council liaison David Sforzato said the upgrade would improve safety and boost female participation across all age groups.
“If female players see that we have state-of-the-art facilities then they will have the confidence to join our club,” he said.
City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said council’s Active Whittlesea Strategy 2019-2028 recognised the lack of facilities to increase female participation.
“This redevelopment will enable the club to grow their female participation and pathway programs by providing better facilities and improved access,” she said.
“We also know that junior participation rates will grow in the coming years as the population increases, so this will allow the club’s juniors more access to top quality training facilities.”
The $2 million project will be funded by the City of Whittlesea, with the Victorian Government contributing $500,000 from its World Games Facilities Fund 2022.
Construction is scheduled to commence in August 2023.
