For years, Buninyong Redbacks have been effectively split across multiple training and playing venues with the senior men's team based at Morshead Park in Redan.

Two new senior pitches and new female-friendly change rooms will be the feature of redevelopment works that have kicked off at Royal Park.

Buninyong Soccer Club president Sue Mroczkowski said Redbacks' player numbers had been strong a couple of years ago. The club won Ballarat and District Soccer Association senior men's division two grand final.

But Ms Mroczkowski said it had been hard to maintain numbers and to rally community support.

"Buninyong is a big Aussie Rules community. A lot of people don't even realise there is a soccer club in Buninyong," Ms Mroczkowski said.

"Our hope is good facilities can help attracting good players and coaches to build soccer in the Buninyong community. We're confident we can almost re-launch the club and build numbers with new facilities.

"We want to have quality games in Buninyong."

The club has been lobbying for improved facilities since 2012 and Ms Mroczkowski said it was exciting to finally see works start with the perimetre of the ground cleared and bulldozers moving in to prepare the surface for the new pitches.

City of Ballarat's $1.8 million investment in the ground will include new irrigation and drainage, new fencing, landscaping and lighting.

Ms Mroczkowski said the redevelopment opened up new possibilities for other sports like Ultimate and touch football to use the grounds and for semi-organised community sports to enjoy.

"It will be a good facility and we want there to be a whole host of other things you can do there," Ms Mroczkowski said. "It is a community facility."

Importantly for the soccer club, Ms Mroczkowski said, being together as one club would also offer juniors older players to look up to.

Redbacks juniors start training, albeit at different grounds, this week.

Ms Mrockowski said the redevelopment came at a good time when the soccer season had become so interrupted amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said this would help the club start afresh.

The Redbacks have sported an under-16 girls' team the past three years and, with new female change facilities, Ms Mroczkowski hoped this would help both retain female players and entice more girls to get out and play.

Redevelopment works are expected to be complete by the time the club's pre-season is set to get underway early next year.

LISTEN: Don't miss The Courier's first podcast, 'Off The Record'. Episode one reflects on the tragic death of beloved footballer Lachie Poulter, speaking to those closest to him.

City of Ballarat mayor Ben Taylor inspected the site on Monday and said it was an exciting start for the community.

"This new project will bring facilities at Buninyong Soccer Club to a whole new level," Cr Taylor said.

"The new improvements will bring the new pitches up to standard and finally provide female friendly change rooms for the club."

Royal Park, on Warrenheip Street, is also home to Friends of Royal Park's community garden.

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