Wareena Park Oval Reopens After Major Upgrades

Published on 18 July 2025

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The Rural City of Wangaratta is delighted to announce the reopening of Wareena Park Oval on Friday 18 July 2025, following extensive reconstruction and turf maintenance works.

This milestone marks the completion of a major upgrade project delivered by Gordon Gibson Nominees Pty Ltd, which began in October 2024 and was guided by the 2020 Wareena Park Masterplan. This $1.59M project was made possible thanks to $600,000 in funding from the Victorian Government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.

“We’re grateful to the community for their patience and understanding throughout this significant upgrade. Especially the cricket teams, junior AFL teams, and AFL Border Umpires who were unable to use the oval. While the works caused some short-term disruption, the long-term benefits will be substantial – the Oval is now beautifully restored and ready to once again be a vibrant centre for local sport in Wangaratta’s CBD for many years to come.” said Irene Grant, Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor

 

Project Highlights

The reconstruction works have transformed Wareena Park Oval with:

  • Installation of AFL goal posts, synthetic cricket pitch, coach’s boxes, and concrete pads
  • New turf with improved subsoil drainage and a new automatic irrigation system
  • A new chain mesh perimeter fence, spoon drain, and laser-levelled turf
  • Lighting towers repaired and refocused, especially on the Swan Street side
  • Improved parking access with new double crossovers at Roy Street and from the Swan Street carpark
  • [placeholder for landscaping]

 

Oval Access and Training Schedule

The turf maintenance period will conclude on Friday, 18 July, and the security fencing will be removed, opening the oval to the public and allowing Council to once again manage bookings and ongoing maintenance.

 

Due to wet weather, landscaping on the southern end of the ground remains incomplete. Visitors are advised to exercise caution around mounded dirt and muddy areas.

 

Until the end of the current AFL season, the oval will be open exclusively for training to its two home clubs:

  • Junior Kangaroos
  • Imperials

 

Training sessions begin the week of 21 July:

  • Monday 4pm–6pm Imperials
  • Tuesday 4:30pm–6pm Kangaroos
  • Wednesday 4pm–6pm Imperials
  • Thursday 4:30pm–6pm Kangaroos
  • Friday – No training scheduled

 

Looking Ahead

Council is exploring the possibility of hosting the final two games of the AFL season at Wareena Park in August.

Later in the year, contractors will aerate and top dress the oval, with timing to be advised by the turf crew as the season progresses.

 

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