As part of its $20 million sport package, Labor pledged $1.5 million to the Northern Hockey Centre to expand toilet facilities, changerooms, the gymnasium, spectator seating and the venue’s catering capacities.   

Hockey Tasmania’s Brett Withington said the board had been working on the upgrades for about three years. 

"Having upgraded facilities is really important for us to be able to host national tournaments,” Mr Withington said. 

In March, more than 250 under-18 hockey players will converge on the state in a bid for the national title.

The championships were held in Launceston in 2016, and brought in more than $1 million. 

Labor candidate for Bass Brian Roe said upgrading a a facility that is more than single-use facility was better value for money. 

“The dollars spent also increases the chances of attracting more large scale track and field competitions to Tasmania,” Mr Roe said.

Labor’s spokeswoman for sport and recreation Michelle O’Byrne announced Labor would spend $800,000 on upgrading the surface at the Northern Tasmania Cricket Association Ground if elected. 

Cricket Tasmania’s general manager of high performance, and four-time Olympic gold medallist, Drew Ginn said the ground was identified by Michael Hussey’s 2017 Australian cricket report as requiring turf upgrades. 

“The feedback we’ve heard is that the upgrade will make a big difference to the turf, facilities and irrigation,” he said. “It will also make a big difference for playing experience, and not just for cricketers.”

Ms O’Byrne said the funding would enable the ground to potentially host BBL practice games and WBBL regular season games. 

“If we want BBL and WBBL we need the right facilities – we certainly know we can deliver the crowds in the North,” she said.

Labor also pledged $320,000 on projects at Prospect Vale and Blackstone Heights. 

The majority of the funding would be to install LED lighting at Prospect Vale Park.

Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins said the $250,000 upgrade would make the ground safer for nighttime football and soccer games. 

“The football ground is not up to specification in terms of lighting, so this means it will become safer and more usable area,” he said.

The further $70,000 would be spent on improving infrastructure for recreational activities at Blackstone Park.

Meanwhile, the Liberals pledged funds for upgrades for two Launceston sporting venues. 

President of Elphin Sports Centre Peter Dunphy said heating and cooling upgrades, lighting and carpeting would account for some of its $90,000 grant.

Close to 5000 people use the centre per week and it has been managed by a volunteer group since 1964.

“We will put in further lighting in the table tennis area, we’ve got a big mezzanine area with carpets that have been down since ‘84 … and if the money goes further we will be putting it towards new seating,” Mr Dunphy said.

RELATED STORY: Liberals to assist disadvantaged kids in sport participation

Northern Tasmanian Netball Association operations manager Michelle Woodiwiss said the $80,000 grant for the Hoblers Bridge Netball Centre would support the 1700 players who use the area.

“This will be a fantastic opportunity for us to be able to put some shelter in, some seating and just upgrades the facilities,” she said.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein made the two sporting venue pledges and said the funds were “in line with the Hodgman Government’s commitment to encourage Tasmanians to get healthy and live happier, longer lives.”