All ACT Government irrigated sportsgrounds will be closed from Sunday 18 March to Saturday 31 March, 2018 (inclusive) to undergo necessary renovations, which are carried out twice yearly at the beginning and end of the summer sport season.
“During the shutdown period, all ACT Government irrigated natural turf sportsgrounds will be closed and unavailable for formal hire, allowing much needed biannual maintenance work to be carried out,” Transport Canberra and City Services, Director of City Presentation, Stephen Alegria said.
“The summer season is always busy for sportsgrounds in the ACT with a range of sporting groups and individuals getting great use out of our ovals, which is why we need to undertake these essential maintenance works to ensure the grounds are in good condition ahead of the winter period.”
The ACT Government manages approximately 280 hectares of irrigated sportsgrounds across 126 separate sites in the ACT and each of these grounds hosts regular training and competitions year round.
“We work closely with users of our sportsgrounds and the next two weeks will enable our teams to work on the oval surfaces to get them ready for winter sports including AFL, rugby league, rugby union and football,” Mr Alegria said.
The annual autumn sportsground renovation program is focused on repairing surfaces damaged through the summer sport season and giving grounds a much needed break prior to the start of winter sport.
The program includes applying fertiliser to assist turf growth and to re-establish turf density prior to winter competitions commencing. Other restoration activities include aeration, top dressing of worn and uneven areas and over sowing of bare or sparse areas to achieve an even turf cover.
During the maintenance period, back nets will be removed, goal posts will be installed and our groundskeepers focus on getting the turf in the best possible shape for winter competition.
The dates of the shutdown period are negotiated well in advance with the sports associations and clubs who regularly use ACT Government ovals to ensure disruption to playing and training schedules are minimised.
Schools are notified of the shutdown period and are asked where possible to limit the use of ACT Government sportsgrounds during this time.
“I would like to thank all sportsground users for their support and patience whilst we complete these essential restoration works,” Mr Alegria said.
Sportsgrounds will reopen on Sunday, 1 April 2018.
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