New sports facilities for Elsternwick Park’s Oval 4

We’re improving sports facilities at Oval 4 in Elsternwick Park South by reshaping the sportsground, improving drainage, installing lighting, and proposing to construct a basic pavilion in the north-east corner of Oval 4.

The north-east corner near New Street has been assessed as the most appropriate location for the proposed pavilion to minimise impact on the reserve’s open space. It will require a small access road to meet Disability Discrimination Act requirements and allow emergency vehicle access, offers nearby connection to the sewerage and stormwater system, and is adjacent to existing parking bays on New Street. 

Alternative locations, including the south-west corner of Oval 4 near existing infrastructure, were considered by an expert consultant as part of a pavilion location study. This study demonstrated that the south-west corner was not a suitable location because it would require removal of several significant native river red gums; a much longer access road would need to be constructed through the centre of the reserve; and significant ground works to connect to the distant sewerage, stormwater and electrical supplies would disturb a large area of the reserve. Taking all factors into consideration, the north-east corner of the park has been determined by Council as the most suitable location for a pavilion to service Oval 4.

Ground works to reconstruct the sportsground are expected to begin in September/October 2020, before construction of the pavilion commences in early to mid-2021. The initial works for the installation of the sportsground lighting will commence later this year.

The proposed pavilion will not be allocated as a home venue for any sports clubs or associations and will not include internal social space or bar facilities. Ground and pavilion works will be staged to minimise disruption to the community who enjoy the reserve.

To balance the needs of all users of Elsternwick Park South, such as dog walkers, there will be no fencing or concrete spoon drain installed on Oval 4. Delineation of Oval 4 from surrounding recreational areas will be marked by a granitic sand perimeter path. 

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