Top playing surface soon a reality for Northern Oval

Updated November 2 2012 - 11:15am, first published February 20 2009 - 12:07pm
THIS GRASS IS GREENER: North Ballarat Football Club CEO Mark Patterson admires the new turf at Northern Oval yesterday.
THIS GRASS IS GREENER: North Ballarat Football Club CEO Mark Patterson admires the new turf at Northern Oval yesterday.

AN AFL-standard playing surface for Ballarat is a step closer to reality.Turf laying works as part of the $950,000 Northern Oval upgrade were finished late this week.The new couch grass surface has eleven weeks to settle in to be ready in time for the North Ballarat Football Club's first VFL season home game against Collingwood on May 2. Ballarat City Council city sustainability director Ian Rossiter said an inspection by council and the re-surfacing contractor will happen this weekend."The roots have to penetrate down into the sand below and establish," Mr Rossiter said."We would hope the consistency of the surface has been delivered accurately but the proof of course in the pudding over the next few weeks."North Ballarat Football Club chief executive officer Mark Patterson said the new surface would open up the venue to AFL practice matches and other top level sport."Whether that's the Ballarat Gift, a higher level of soccer or pre-season rugby. They're all opportunities now that can become a reality," Mr Patterson said.The upgrade works have been funded by $506,000 in grants from the State Government, $200,000 each from the AFL and Ballarat City Council and $50,000 from the Roosters. The new surface has been maintained using treated waste water.

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