New playing fields used for the first time

In an exciting weekend for local sport, the upgraded Phillip Oval and Harrison District Playing Fields both get their first official use today. 

For the first time in seven years, AFL matches at the senior club level will be hosted at Phillip Oval this Saturday, 24 July 2010 (between 9 am and 5 pm).

Phillip Oval’s elite sporting complex now boasts a $2.3 million pavilion as well as tiered seating on the viewing banks. The sporting community will also benefit from the new drought tolerant resistant couch grass, a turf cricket pitch and new AFL goal posts.

As the new headquarters for Gungahlin United Football Club, Harrison District Playing Fields will also be used for the first time by senior and junior footballers this weekend. Juniors play on Saturday 24 July 2010 from 12pm to 5 pm and games in the state league competition will be played on Sunday 25 July 2010 from 10 am to 1 pm. 

There are six football fields at Harrison with two of the fields equipped with training lights for night time use. The new fields are fully irrigated using a system of tanks and pumps which allow water harvested from the roof the new pavilion to be directed into the tanks to supplement mains water supply.

The $1.5 million pavilion at Harrison District Playing Fields is due for completion in the coming weeks and will add an additional range of sporting facilities including a club meeting room, change rooms for teams and officials, public toilets, canteen facilities, as well as first aid and storage areas.

The ACT Government recognises the importance of sportsgrounds in our community and is committed to providing high quality playing surfaces and facilities in the ACT.

The upgraded grounds at Phillip and Harrison offer better facilities for players, spectators and officials in the local sporting community. I wish teams and supporters in both football codes the best of luck in their games this weekend at the new facilities.