A major makeover of Skinner Reserve has kicked off, with the Western Bulldogs eager to hit the turf at the popular Braybrook sporting ground.
The $3 million upgrade will deliver the oval a professional grade playing surface and a host of other improvements to boost sporting facilities are in the pipeline.
The new playing surface will reduce water consumption in the summer months and improve year round grass cover, while drainage and irrigation systems will be updated to support ground maintenance.
Four new lighting towers with energy efficient LED light fittings will be erected to improve safety and support night training and activities.
A new two-lane, 500-metre running track will also be constructed around the oval perimeter.
Maribyrnong mayor Michael Clarke said Skinner Reserve is already highly valued and accessed facility in Braybrook and the council hopes the upgrade will encourage social and sporting activity into the future.
Western Bulldogs Football Club chief executive Ameet Bains said it was an exciting time for the club to have access to a high-quality training oval for both the men’s and women’s teams and the Bulldogs were proud to be partnering with the council to help fund the works.
“An upgraded Skinner Reserve will also be a winner for everyone,” he said.
“It will allow us to have a much greater presence with our suite of impactful Community Foundation programs, and will provide a multi-use facility for the people of the west to enjoy.”
The upgrade will also include new coach boxes, boundary fencing, goal posts and goal safety netting, as well as spectator seating and an electronic scoreboard that will double as an outdoor screen for social activities.
The oval will be out of bounds during the works, but residents and visitors will still be able to use other parts of the reserve.
Work is due for completion by next April, in time for the incoming winter sporting season.
Benjamin Millar
