The marquee ground and the Northern number two oval will be resized to mirror Etihad Stadium dimensions while undergoing resurfacing in the first stage of a $15 million state government-funded venue upgrade.

North Ballarat chief executive Mark Patterson said once ground sizing was in place, planning could be made to maximise stadium lighting, seating for best viewing, scoreboard position and, importantly, crowd traffic.

The immediate impact will bring the boundary in and widen the concourse between the existing stadium and ground fence.

This will ease congestion on match days, particularly for big games such as the Central Highlands Football League grand final and in the city’s push to bring AFL games to Ballarat.

Eureka Stadium’s playing surface is larger than the MCG. 

The smaller number two oval, home to North Ballarat junior football and cricket, will expand.

“The AFL and all parties involved agree that Etihad Stadium is a good football ground size and has improved the spectator experience at games,” Patterson said.

“Reducing the size (of the main oval) will provide more scope for the external work ... and maximise space around the whole ground.

“We’ll have the two grounds upgraded to the best standard, like the Lake Wendouree ground redevelopment, and it will be exciting to have three of the best grounds around the city all in the same area.”

Most AFL clubs mark out Etihad surface size to their own training venues.

Footscray shortens its boundary at one end of Whitten Oval to best match Etihad for its Victorian Football League matches.

The Eureka Stadium project is council-managed but Patterson expected works to start at the season’s end.

Northern Oval was last resurfaced in late 2007, with the turf wicket moved to the number two oval.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au