INVERMAY Park is expected to be open for sporting duty by August, with its redevelopment entering its final stage.
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The $2.1million upgrade, which includes $1.25million from the federal government, has seen the construction of an all-weather playing surface, improved drainage systems, 30-metre light towers and related civil works.
Cricket North club Mowbray and the NTFA’s Old Launcestonians have been forced to find temporary homes while the works have been taking place at the original home ground of cricket great Ricky Ponting.
Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten and Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic on Tuesday inspected the multi-sport venue, which has a history of drainage issues.
Alderman van Zetten said the new surface was comparable to that of the nearby Aurora Stadium.
‘‘This was a priority because it gets a lot of use right through winter into summer,’’ he said.
‘‘To also protect Aurora Stadium, we need to have a very good surface here as well all year round, as so many people train on it. With North Launceston and junior football, umpires, Old Launcestonians and the Mowbray Cricket Club, we needed a surface that was suitable to today’s standards.’’
Mr Nikolic said the upgrade was delivering on a promise to improve an area that is a ‘‘priority for the city’’.
‘‘It is, after all, one of the most used sporting facilities in Northern Tasmania,’’ he said.
‘‘It is wonderful that we can have this facility that we can use for 52 weeks of the year.’’
The next major sporting event that will be held at the ground will be the AFL Masters National Carnival on Sunday, October 4.