$4.6 million upgrade for Phillip Oval

The upgrade, in partnership with AFL NSW/ACT and CricketACT, will include new community facilities, administration buildings, storage and lighting.

Among the raft of improvements will be a new electronic scoreboard installed, lower bowl tiered platforms with bench seating, free standing elevated coaches boxes, and permanent interchange benches.

Under the partnership, the sporting codes will jointly inject a further $1.6 million to this project.

Minister Rattenbury said that sport and recreation plays a vital role in keeping Canberrans fit, active and healthy.

“Through this year’s ACT Budget the Government‘s partnership to upgrade Phillip Oval will provide first class sporting facilities for Canberra’s south, with access for both community and elite level sports.

“The upgrade will also ensure that AFL NSW/ACT and CricketACT have new local administrative headquarters that will provide improved business, coaching and training opportunities,” Minister Rattenbury said.

The CEO of AFL NSW/ACT, Sam Graham, said the upgrade of Phillip Oval is possible thanks to the strong relationships between the ACT Government, the AFL, the GWS GIANTS and the AFL Canberra Trust.

“We are extremely appreciative of the ACT Government’s major contribution towards the upgrade of Phillip Oval,” Mr Graham said.

“The new facility provides a solution for the entire Canberra football community, from grassroots to the elite level. It also provides a home for AFL Canberra administration, GWS GIANTS Academy, community umpiring and AFL community football events.”

The upgrade to the facility will commence in 2016.