BALLARAT Red Devils anticipate works to be completed on the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility in time for a pre-season hit-out in mid-March.
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Works at the Morshead Park precinct continue to forge ahead, with City of Ballarat currently conducting a review for the tender to construct the main grandstand.
City of Ballarat mayor Joshua Morris said the council expected to award the tender by the end of the month.
Cr Morris said progress on the facility was tracking as expected.
“The installation of grass on the main show pitch was completed in December, with building works on the main pavilion fit out due to start by the end of this week,” Cr Morris said.
“Light towers have been installed at the main show pitch and the second synthetic pitch.
“Work is progressing on the second synthetic pitch, with a rock layer likely to be installed next week.”
The facility looms as an irresistible training base for one of the 16 Asian Cup teams, with the City of Ballarat having already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the tournament’s local organising committee.
This has signalled Ballarat as a leading contender to host one of the qualifiers, which will be finalised in early March ahead of the 2015 competition.
Red Devils chairman Duncan Smith said the club hoped to play the first match on the new stadium pitch as a lead-up to the Victorian National Premier Leagues season.
The Red Devils this week lodged their submission to be part of the new competition, with Football Federation Victoria expected to announce successful licensees on February 7.
“We are hoping to play our first pre-season match on the stadium in middle March, which will be just fantastic for everyone concerned,” Smith said.
“We are thrilled with the progress that the building companies are making and the support City of Ballarat is giving the project.”
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au