Proposed upgrade to extend sport reserve playing time

  • 2020-04-14
A huge makeover is planned for one of the northern beaches’ most popular sports reserves near Brookvale.

Northern Beaches Council is currently inviting public submissions on the proposed upgrade of Manly Vale's Miller Reserve.

According to council documentation, there is a strong case for transforming the grounds into synthetic playing fields to assist in increasing their capacity for staging summer and winter grassroots sports.

The proposed works would include the introduction of artificial turf for sports such as touch football, cricket, soccer and Frisbee competitions. Also planned are four practice nets and two additional pitches for cricketers.

If the work goes ahead, the Manly-Allambie United football club's home ground is expected to benefit greatly from extended use, made possible by the synthetic surface which is also suited to play in wet weather.

Sports reserves such as this are often a venue for many community events, which are advertised via flyer printing in the local area. Playing fields made of synthetics are already in use at Lionel Watts Reserve and Cromer Park.

The Council document stated that synthetic grass had the capacity to add an extra 19 hours of playing time to each field weekly.

Other benefits include its success as a suitable surface for play in wet weather and less maintenance. The synthetic surface also keeps well during winter.

May 3 is the deadline for public submissions.