Ballarat sporting centres fly high with new facilities

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Ballarat’s premier sporting infrastructure is set to expand once again with major new works at the Ballarat Sports Events Centre and Mars Stadium moving a step closer.

Following a funding agreement between the Victorian Government and the City of Ballarat, the $5.2 million second stage of works at the Ballarat Sports Events Centre will build on the $24 million BSEC stage one, which was completed last year.

The new works at the BSEC will include outdoor three-on-three basketball courts, a mobile three-on-three court on a trailer, a learning centre and a strength and conditioning centre for elite basketball and netball teams.

Pre-existing courts also will be integrated with the new Stage One works opened last year. This will allow smaller children to shoot baskets for practice while others play competitively.

Construction of the new site is expected to be completed by early 2022.

These exciting developments will be complemented by renewed works at Mars Stadium, which is situated just near the BSEC within the Eureka Precinct.

As the premier outdoor stadium located in Ballarat, Mars Stadium is the second home of the Western Bulldogs Football Club. Highly utilised by the local community, it also hosts a range of other major sporting events such as AFLW fixtures, A-League Soccer, Super Rugby and Nitro Circus.

The $6.6 million development will improve the fan experience for spectators at Mars Stadium.

New permanent game-day infrastructure and female friendly changing rooms will be constructed, which will address the growing demand for more modern and accessible sporting facilities.

Other upgrades will include:

· Upgrading the Stadium’s entrances including entrance two, ticket boxes and covered entry area to gate one;

· Creation of additional fully accessible permanent toilets to reduce the need for temporary toilets on match days; and

· Improving disability access to seating in the Western and Eastern Stands of the Stadium; and

· Permanent food and beverage areas

“The Victorian State Government is continuing to invest millions of dollars into Mars Stadium and the Ballarat Sports Events Centre. These significant upgrades to our local sporting facilities will mean that our community will have access to world class sporting infrastructure right here in Ballarat,” Juliana Addison, Member for Wendouree, said. 

“Importantly, these two projects provide not only great benefit to local sport, but are a boost for local jobs and our economy.”

“As one of the nation’s leading regional cities, Ballarat is well placed to accommodate significant new sporting infrastructure such as this,” Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor, said.

“Ballarat people love their sport and I am sure these new facilities will be packed when the two new sites are open to the public.”