Massive upgrade of State Netball and Hockey Centre begins

The Victorian Government’s massive upgrade of the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville has begun.

The upgrade will replace the existing outdoor netball courts with six new indoor courts, a new indoor hockey facility, upgraded change facilities, a creche for parents playing at the centre, and a high-performance strength and conditioning gym. It will also build a new northern entrance, better connecting the centre to public transport.

The new state-of-the-art facility will cater for all levels of competition – providing playing fields for grassroots teams and a major training base for elite athletes in both sports – and be a world-class venue to host major state, national and international tournaments like the Hockey Pro-League.

The Victorian Government has appointed contractor Kane Constructions to deliver the project, with close to 30 jobs to be created during construction. The project is scheduled to be complete in 2021.

The Centre is used by more than 6,000 people every week – 80 per cent of whom are girls and women.

The project is part of the $241.6 million package unveiled by the Victorian Government last year – the biggest investment in women’s and community sport in Victoria’s history.

On top of the State Netball and Hockey Centre upgrade, the package includes:

• $20 million to redevelop Ikon Park into the home of women’s football
• $13 million for Stage 2 of the Moorabbin Oval redevelopment, to build a range of community facilities and deliver upgrades that will enable the Saints AFLW team to play there from 2020
• $10 million to improve playing conditions at Casey Fields and Whitten Oval for AFLW competition
• $2 million for infrastructure upgrades for AFLW at Victoria Park.

Development Victoria is proud to be partnering with Sport and Recreation Victoria and the State Sports Centre Trust to manage the redevelopment.