City of Whittlesea awards contact for FIFA-accredited artificial turf field

The City of Whittlesea Council has awarded a contract for the $2.3 million conversion of Partridge Recreation Reserve’s grass pitch to a FIFA-accredited synthetic surface.

The project will see the existing grass playing surface on the eastern pitch replaced with a synthetic pitch, doubling usage from 20 hours a week to more than 40 hours a week.

Advising that the upgrade would help cater for the growing demand for sporting facilities in the municipality, City of Whittlesea Council Chair Administrator, Lydia Wilson stated “we know that we have one of the highest participation rates for soccer in the state, and this new synthetic pitch will actively encourage even more people to get involved, including more women and girls.

“We’re proud to continue to invest in the infrastructure needed to support our community to stay active and healthy.”

The reserve is home to the Mill Park Soccer Club, which has more than 300 active members.

The project will boast a range of sustainability measures, including energy-efficient LED lighting, Councils’ first synthetic pitch with an organic infill product, as well as the installation of a 25mm thick rubber shockpad underlay that is estimated to divert approximately 75 tonnes of plastic waste and 70 tonnes of rubber waste from landfill.

Work on the project is expected to begin in September and be completed in early 2025.