New hockey surface ready for play

THE completion of works on the Prince of Wales Park synthetic hockey pitch was marked on Wednesday morning.

Local hockey players and the City of Ballarat’s Cr Des Hudson celebrated the new surface, which is ready for play for years to come.

The synthetic hockey turf, asphalt seal waterproofing layer, and sub-base gravel was replaced, and the shock-pad was assessed.

Works on new player shelters, upgraded ball protection fencing, rubber matting protection behind goals, a technical bench, pitch access gates and fencing, and the scoreboard were also part of a broader revitalisation project.

A City of Ballarat and Sport and Recreation Victoria-funded feasibility study looking at demand for hockey infrastructure was done on the site and finished in 2022, finding the sport was growing in popularity.

Works began in January and the stage was originally expected to be complete by May.

City of Ballarat councillors signed off on a master plan for the broader Prince of Wales Park during their regular meeting in August.

The document is aimed at steering the direction and growth of the recreation reserve, which is not only home to Ballarat Hockey Centre, but the Alfredton Baseball Club, Wendouree Archery Club and the Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre.

Some Lake Gardens residents expressed concerns over issues such as loss of green space, lighting, noise, and an imbalance in community consultation. A 30-metre buffer zone between homes and proposed new hockey pitches was a particular topic of contention.

However, Hockey Ballarat’s Cristin Ruyg said additional pitches would provide a major boost for the sport in the region.