Exciting News on Opening the New State of the Art Synthetic Soccer Pitch in Mill Park.

New Synthetic Soccer Ground in Mill Park.

It was my great pleasure, as the Mayor of the City of Whittlesea, to officially open this week the new state of the art synthetic soccer pitch at Partridge Street Recreation Reserve in Mill Park. This outstanding facility represents far more than just a new playing surface, it stands as a testament to the City of Whittlesea’s ongoing commitment to fostering active, healthy, and connected communities through meaningful investment in sport and recreation infrastructure.

Council fully funded $2.6 million to deliver this world class project on behalf of our growing and diverse community. This investment has transformed the former natural grass pitch into a FIFA accredited synthetic surface, significantly enhancing its capacity to support year round training, competitions, and development programs. The project also included upgraded drainage systems, new perimeter fencing, and the installation of state of the art LED sports lighting to ensure the space can be used safely and effectively during evening hours.

Importantly, this new pitch will enable the Mill Park Soccer Club to expand its programs and increase participation, particularly among women and junior players who have historically faced barriers to equal access and opportunity in sport. Synthetic surfaces like this one can withstand much higher levels of use without deterioration, making them ideal for meeting our growing community’s needs.

Sustainability was also central to this project’s design and construction. In a first for our city, approximately 145 tonnes of plastic and rubber waste were diverted from landfill and repurposed to form the pitch’s shock pad underlay. Additionally, the pitch uses olive pith, an organic by product of the olive oil industry as part of its infill material, reflecting Council’s ongoing commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Mill Park Soccer Club, our dedicated council officers, and Tiger Turf for their exceptional collaboration and hard work in bringing this important initiative to life for the betterment of our City.

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