Southern Grampians mayor Bob Penny turns the first sod, watched by recreation manager Jason Thomas and hockey association president Bruce Farquharson.
WORKS on Hamilton’s new synthetic hockey field have started at Pedrina Park.
The Southern Grampians Shire Council has spent four months designing the pitch with contractor STI International, which also worked on the construction of the London Olympics hockey venue.
Dependent on the weather, the $1.2 million field should be completed by August.
The project is a partnership between Glenelg Region Hockey Association and Southern Grampians Shire Council, with support from the state government and a local benefactor.
Southern Grampians mayor Bob Penny said the hockey field was another piece of the Pedrina Park master plan puzzle.
He said the quality venue would allow Hamilton to host more events, attracting people to the region.
“Council is pleased to see works commence on the new synthetic hockey field at Pedrina Park that will create a state-of-the- art facility and make the Southern Grampians a regional hub for hockey,” he said.
Glenelg Region Hockey Association president Bruce Farquharson said the new pitch ensured the future of the sport in Hamilton.
“The hockey association is excited by the news that construction on the new synthetic hockey field has commenced and looks forward to its completion later this year,” Farquharson said.
“The new field will help in the promotion of junior hockey, have huge benefits for hockey players across the region, while securing the future of hockey in Hamilton for many generations to come.”
The long-term Pedrina Park master plan has also considered the electrical and drainage requirements of all possible future projects.
The laying of synthetic grass is a vital component of the construction and will not begin until the weather conditions are ideal to ensure a proper seal of the grass.