Football and cricket have now returned to Warrnambool’s showcase sporting facility following the completion of works at Reid Oval.

Upgrades include the redevelopment of the oval and construction of a modern pavilion that caters for men’s and women’s sports and includes office spaces and community meeting rooms. New goal posts, floodlighting, and cricket training facilities have been added and player and umpire facilities have been upgraded.

Previously the oval’s outdated facilities struggled to cope with local and regional demand, especially with growing numbers of female footballers and cricketers.

At the official opening in April, Warrnambool Mayor Cr Vicki Jellie said the new facility provides a focal point for the region.

“The Reid Oval redevelopment is amazing, for not only our Warrnambool community but for the whole region. It’s a premier oval for a premier facility, for not only football and cricket but for many other activities,” Cr Jellie said.

For Nestles Cricket Club president Gary MacLean, the completion of the oval provides a homecoming for the club’s 12 teams.

“For the last couple of years, we’ve been playing away so it’ll be fantastic to get back into the brand new nets and work towards getting our club back where we want to be.

“Obviously the next step will be to turn the lights on. We’re hoping for some T20 games or one day games that start at 3 o’clock. It’s quite exciting for our club,” Gary said.

Reid Oval is home to:

• Warrnambool Football Netball Club
• Nestles Cricket Club
• East Warrnambool Football Netball Club
• Warrnambool and District Football Umpires Association
• Warrnambool District Cricket Association
• Hampden Football Netball League
• Warrnambool and District Football Netball League.

The project was made possible with $10.1 million from the Victorian Government, including $3 million from the Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme.