Western Oval welcomes women’s upgrades

WITH female sports participation on the rise in Ballarat, the Western Oval has begun upgrades that will create new female-friendly changerooms and amenities.

The $730,000 project not only includes the development of women’s facilities, but also provides changing rooms and amenities for umpires, public toilets and upgraded storage.

Public toilets will not be accessible at the Western Oval during construction, with the works estimated to be completed by the end of August this year.

City of Ballarat’s executive manager of sport and active living Mark Patterson said traditionally, sports facilities have been designed with male athletes in mind.

“To ensure that we are providing a positive and an appropriate environment for females, we need to either often build new facilities completely, or refurbish old ones,” he said.

“We have a particular focus at the moment in ensuring that women athletes, as part of our Active Women and Girls Strategy, are provided for.”

A variety of sporting clubs utilise the Western Oval, including AFL, cricket and ultimate frisbee groups.

The council has contributed $16 million towards a range of sporting venue upgrades across the municipality, including St George’s Reserve, City Oval and Trekardo Park.

Over the next two years, the State government and council aim to deliver 27 projects for Ballarat, through a series of grants and election commitments, as well as annual council core capital works.