Millions of dollars' worth of sports field upgrades across Lake Macquarie are set to reap benefits for a multitude of sports codes and participants, from junior ranks to senior teams.
The improvements include upgrades of 25 changerooms at 12 sports grounds in the city, making them more accessible and usable for junior and senior female participants.
Lights have been installed at four sites as part of a $923,000 project to extend the windows of opportunity for teams to train and play: Douglas Street Oval, Dora Creek, Cooranbong Sports Complex, Finnan Oval, Blackalls Park and Lenaghan Oval, Belmont North.
Also in Belmont, Lake Macquarie City Council Community Assets Delivery Coordinator Brent Wellham said construction was underway underway to realise the vision set out in the Belmont Sports Fields Master Plan, covering Barton No.2 Field and Lumsden Oval.
"This precinct is the city's largest dedicated sports area, and the Stage One works will create a facility capable of hosting regional-level competition," he said.
"The fields are already used for rugby league, soccer, cricket and baseball, but the upgrades will pave the way for other codes, including AFL, to be based there."
"We've spoken at length to sports clubs already using the site to help inform the design and prioritise work."
Additional works, including an electrical upgrade for the site and two new amenities buildings, will start early next year.
The buildings will service Barton No.2 and No.3 fields, Lumsden Oval and Les Miller Oval.
Mr Wellham said timeframes for future stages of the project, including construction of Barton No.1 Field and amenities and upgrades to Les Miller Field and car parking were subject to future government grants.
Meanwhile, the $9.5 million overhaul of Croudace Bay Sports Complex – the largest sports ground project since the construction of Pasterfield Sports Complex – is nearing completion, with new cricket nets, netball courts and amenities now operational.
Mr Wellham said the site's soccer and rugby league fields had been switched to make them more usable for both codes.
"This is a growing part of our city, and the sports complex is a focal point for sports and physical activity," he said.
"The upgrades there, and at other sports fields throughout the city, reflect growing demand in our community for quality facilities that cater to a range of sporting codes, ages and abilities."
The various upgrades have been jointly funded by Council, the NSW Government and the Federal Government.
