The No.1 Sportsground redevelopment is close to completion, pushing Newcastle to become a world-class events city.
No.1 Sportsground is on the corner of Parry and Union streets in the iconic National Park, one of Newcastle’s largest and oldest sports grounds and open-space reserves.
The precinct has facilities for a range of sports, including netball, AFL, cricket, rugby union, football, athletics and croquet, and caters for casual sport and play through basketball courts and parklands.
Redevelopment of the area began in September 2020 and is now close to completion with a rebuilt playing surface and increased playing field size to achieve the minimum standard required for first-grade AFL and elite cricket matches.
Other upgrades include new lighting, a sub-soil irrigation and drainage system, new player dugout benches, seven cricket wickets, sight screens, oval perimeter fencing and additional bleacher seating to almost double the seated capacity from 400 to 790.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle could host elite cricket and AFL matches as soon as 2022.
“No.1 Sportsground was designed and constructed in 1921, officially opening in 1922, and in that time, the venue has hosted a variety of sporting and non-sporting events,” Cr Nelmes said.
“It has been over 10 years since the last international match was held at No.1 Sportsground when our Australian women’s team defeated South Africa in the 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup.
“The redevelopment, which coincides with the venue’s centenary, will deliver regular users of the ground improved facilities and provide our city with an economic boost through the attraction of major sporting events.
“Novocastrians love their sport, and I’m really looking forward to No.1 Sportsground hosting the Australian Deaf Games cricket fixtures in April 2022, as well as the possibility of hosting pre-season AFL fixtures and regional Big Bash League matches right here in Newcastle.”
The sportsground is set to reopen in 2022 after the new turf has had a chance to establish.
Preliminary design work is also under way for an upgrade of the player amenities.
Other work under way within National Park includes an additional four basketball courts and playing field upgrades at No.5 and No.6 Sportsgrounds.
Information source: Media release, City of Newcastle