The first match on the new Reid Oval will be the Division 1 fixture between Nestles and North Warrnambool Eels on January 15.
“Initially, the first match was scheduled to be part of Under 17 Country Week on January 3, however the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association in conjunction with the clubs and Council have decided to make a change,” Reid Oval Project Control Group Chair Cr Debbie Arnott said.
“While the playing surface and the wicket will be ready to go by the beginning of January, there’s still work to be done on the pavilion and the area around the oval.
“So while the ground is ready, the facilities for players and spectators aren’t quite there yet. We are working with the Association and clubs and we are looking forward to the first match on January 15.
“We expect the pavilion to be ready for full use later in the cricket season. Landscaping and grass seeding needs to happen around the oval before it is ready for a capacity crowd, but one of the features of the pavilion is the tiered seating for spectators.
“We’d like to thank the Association, clubs and other stakeholders as we approach the finish line of this major redevelopment project for South West Victoria’s premier sporting facility.”
The Reid Oval Redevelopment is a $10.7 million project funded by the Victorian Government (via Sport and Recreation Victoria and Regional Development Victoria), the Warrnambool City Council (via the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme), the AFL (via the Australian Football Facilities Fund) and Cricket Victoria (via the Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund).
