The completion of the $4.3 million Queenborough Oval redevelopment marks a significant milestone for community sport in Hobart.
The project delivers a modern, accessible facilities for the Sandy Bay Junior Football Club, South Hobart Sandy Bay Cricket Club, Hutchins Old Boys Football Club and the wider community.
Funded through a partnership between the City of Hobart ($2.25 million), the Tasmanian Government ($2 million) and AFL Tasmania ($50 000), the project has transformed the historic Sandy Bay sporting precinct with new player changerooms, a rooftop viewing terrace, improved public amenities, a lift and ramp for accessibility, a medical room and multipurpose community spaces.
The redevelopment is expected to support hundreds of players, volunteers and spectators while helping drive participation in both football and cricket, particularly among women and girls.
Sandy Bay Junior Football Club President Mark Herd said the upgrade had dramatically changed the experience for players and families.
"It's provided a really modern facility for juniors and youths, and especially the girls. From what it was before to what it is now, it's almost unrecognisable," Mr Herd said.
"It's also provided a really good facility for the parents that can come along and supporting. The viewing area up here is fantastic."
The completed $4.3 million Queenborough Oval upgrade brings modern facilities for players and spectators.
The new facilities replace ageing changerooms that dated back decades and no longer met the needs of modern sport.
"It was very tired and dated, the older buildings reflect what it used to be so this is much more modern to what it used to be and it also provides additional room like this for both the cricket and football clubs," Mr Herd said.
The club believes the investment will help accommodate future growth in participation, particularly as excitement builds around the arrival of Tasmania's AFL and AFLW teams.
"We see our numbers rising during the Devils' consistently, especially with the girls," Mr Herd said.
Mr Herd said Sandy Bay Junior Football Club's more than 300 junior and youth players, coaches and families had already enjoyed the new facilities this season and would benefit from them for years to come.
Pictured (left to right): South Hobart-Sandy Bay Cricket Club's Xavier Reynolds, Hutchins Old Boys Football Club president Henry Johnstone and Sandy Bay Junior Football Club's Chloe Herd outside the new Queenborough Oval changerooms.
The upgrade is also set to strengthen the position of Queenborough Oval as a key venue for local cricket and senior football.
South Hobart Sandy Bay Cricket Club President Kristian Falconer said the redevelopment provided "a fantastic foundation for the future of cricket at Queenborough", while Hutchins Old Boys Football Club President Henry Johnstone said the investment had transformed the precinct into a modern sporting venue while preserving its character and history.
Deputy Hobart Lord Mayor Dr Zelinda Sherlock said the project demonstrated what could be achieved when government, sporting clubs and the community worked together.
"Queenborough Oval has long been an important sporting and community hub, and these upgraded facilities ensure it will continue to serve local players, volunteers, families and supporters well into the future," Dr Sherlock said.
"The redevelopment delivers modern, inclusive and accessible facilities that reflect the needs of our growing sporting community and help remove barriers to participation."