What was once a dusty, disused bowling green has been transformed into a vibrant hub for community sport, with new netball courts and upgraded facilities breathing life back into the New Town Sporting Precinct.
The redevelopment is creating space for thousands of players and families to come together each week, turning an underused corner into one of Hobart's busiest sporting destinations.
Stage one of the $1.65 million project delivers two new lit netball courts, managed by the Southern Tasmanian Netball Association (STNA), alongside improvements to the remaining bowls green with synthetic surrounds and sun protection for greater comfort and accessibility.
The transformation was made possible through a $1.5 million State Government contribution, $100 000 from the City of Hobart, and support from precinct stakeholders.
For STNA General Manager John Fox, the change is a game-changer for local sport.
"Netball continues to be the number one participation sport for women and girls in Australia and it keeps growing. Part of that is we also have many boys and men playing now," Mr Fox said.
With 3500 registered members, Mr Fox says the extra courts will ease pressure on scheduling.
"To have these two extra courts enables us to play more games here on a Saturday… The biggest challenge we've had in the last few years is we've had to play at remote venues, so this is fantastic for our families."
The precinct now caters for more than netball. Pickleball court markings and upgraded amenities for Southern ITF Taekwon-Do reflect a commitment to multi-sport use.
"You can see it shows our commitment and the council's commitment to enabling other sports to be played here," Mr Fox said.
Buckingham Bowls Club President Patricia Zapotocky getting in some practice watched by Club Vice-President Judy Munday and Hobart Acting Lord Mayor Dr Zelinda Sherlock in front of some of the new all weather shelter recently completed as part of the New Town Sporting Precinct Master Plan.
Buckingham Bowls Club President Patricia Zapotocky says the redevelopment has been a win-win.
"It's been lovely to have all of these younger people involved in sports around us and then down the track they might actually say, wonder what those old guys up there were doing," Ms Zapotocky said.
"Maybe we'll go up there and check out that one."
She praised the collaborative effort since 2021.
"It's been a lot of work, a lot of meetings, but it's come to fruition. I'm very proud of it."
With stage one complete, the New Town Sporting Precinct is no longer a forgotten space – it's a thriving community hub where sport brings people together.