Cricket-loving Territorians have scored a big win with the completion of new lights at DXC Arena, traditionally known as the Marrara Cricket Ground.
A total of $1.8 million has been invested by the Territory Labor Government to enable Territorians to play sport in the cooler evenings at Marrara.
Lights at DXC Arena will provide flexible match fixturing for our local community, cater for the growth of women's and junior playing numbers, and capitalise on the enormous opportunity to build Darwin into a winter playing and training hub for Australian cricket through the Cricket 365 program.
Sport Australia also contributed $500,000 to the DXC Arena lights.
The new LED lights are part of a $2.9 million injection of funds to NT Cricket for lighting upgrades at Marrara and Palmerston ovals.
Local contractor, Dice (Aust) Pty Ltd, completed the works with the lights up to a maximum strength of 1200 lux in the Marrara wicket area and 750 lux for the outer area.
Installation of oval lights at Cazalys Arena Oval #2 is expected to be completed by end April which will also provide more night time training and game opportunities.
The completion of this project is part of the Territory Government's investment in infrastructure projects in partnership with sporting organisations to improve amenities, support community sport and support jobs for locals.
The investment of these lights comes off the back of a $4.8 million lights investment across three Darwin Ovals, along with over $6 million worth of oval upgrades in Alice Springs, from the Territory Government.
The first match under the DXC Arena lights will be the PINT v Tracy Village Premier Grade 50-overs match on Saturday, 10 April at 2pm.
Quotes attributed to the Minister for Sport, Kate Worden:
"Investing in the Territory's sporting assets boosts the local economy and creates local jobs.
"Darwin is the best place in Australia to be involved in sports but it's also one of the hottest, so our investment in lights will see more games and training take place in the cooler evenings.
"Upgrades to DXC Arena lights means game fixtures can be flexible, and overall allows the sport to expand, with there now not being a finite time training or matches need to end."
Quotes attributed to NT Cricket CEO Joel Morrison:
"The installation of lights at DXC Arena is a significant development for cricket in the north and I thank Minister Worden for her commitment to investing in sporting infrastructure to support our community.
"Thanks to the support of the NT Government and Sport Australia, we are now able to provide flexible fixtures for our local community, cater for our growing women's and junior playing numbers, and capitalise on NT Cricket's new innovative Cricket 365 program."
