Geelong Council lights up state-of-the-art sports facility

The City of Greater Geelong's new $2 million multi-purpose synthetic pitch at Norlane's Leisuretime Centre has been officially opened.

Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren joined Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood to officially light up the new regional facility earlier this month.

The new pitch is one of just a few of its kind in Victoria and is expected to cater to a boom in football's growing popularity, with the north of Geelong having the fastest growing football participation in Victoria.

The new facility features a full-size FIFA-standard outdoor synthetic pitch and LED flood-lighting, which is expected to help clubs train, play matches and support regional programs and pathways.

The pitch also has the versatility to be used for a range of emerging sports and activities.

Designed to complement the surrounding parkland, the pitch features nearly 7,000 metre² of playing surface and has removable goals, allowing multiple groups to use the space at the same time. It also features players' and officials shelters and storage areas.

The project was funded jointly by the City of Greater Geelong ($1.4 million) and the Victorian Government ($600,000).

Commenting on the new facility, Mayor Harwood advised “soccer participation is growing faster in Geelong's north than anywhere else in the state, so this pitch is a real win for the local community.

“Because it's not aligned to a particular club, it can be booked and used by anyone, meaning it will benefit the entire region.” 

Images: Victorian Minister for Sport John Eren [centre] at the opening of the multi-purpose synthetic pitch at Norlane's Leisuretime Centre (top) and the new playing surface (below).

4th April 2018 - INDEPENDENT CHAIRPERSON TO LEAD FFA REFORM

17th November 2017 - NEW AUSPLAY FIGURES SHOW FOOTBALL LEADS SPORT PARTICIPATION RATES IN AUSTRALIA 

19th May 2017 - NEW BROWNLOW STAND OFFICIALLY OPENED AT GEELONG’S SIMONDS STADIUM 

5th May 2017 - AUSTRALIA’S MULTI-USE STADIA NEED BETTER PLAYING SURFACES

20th April 2017 - FOOTBALL FEDERATION VICTORIA ELECTS THREE FEMALE BOARD DIRECTORS 

14th April 2017 - GLOBAL ‘ONE TURF CONCEPT’ AGREED BY INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL, HOCKEY AND RUGBY BODIES

10th January 2017 - SIGNIFICANT YEAR FOR AQUATICS AND RECREATION VICTORIA

21st January 2016 - FFV COMMUNITY BUSINESS NETWORK LINKS BUSINESSES, FOOTBALL CLUBS, MEDIA AND GOVERNMENT

12th June 2015 - CITY OF GREATER GEELONG ENDORSES NORTHERN ARC MASTER PLAN 

23rd January 2015 - A-LEAGUE TO BREAK 1 MILLION FAN MARK IN RECORD TIME 

30th March 2014 - STUDY FINDS NO DIFFERENCE IN PLAYER INJURY RATES ON ARTIFICIAL TURF SURFACES 

30th June 2009 - GEELONG COMMITS TO AQUATICS AND RECREATION