Overview
Wagga Cricket Ground is a multi-purpose venue with several components.
The oval has a turf cricket pitch and is predominantly used for cricket training and competition matches in summer but is also used as a training venue for Rugby League in winter.
The field is surrounded by a velodrome track. There are also changerooms, public toilets, spectator grandstand and a scorer's box, as well as practice cricket nets and lighting.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 11 June, Council endorsed placing the draft Wagga Cricket Ground Masterplan on public exhibition.
Submissions closed at 5pm on Sunday 21 July 2024.
At its Ordinary Meeting on Monday 5 August 2024, Council adopted the Wagga Cricket Ground Masterplan.
Looking to the future
In 2021 following multiple requests for consideration of projects at the Wagga Cricket Ground, Council staff met with the key user groups to discuss potential future development options.
In consultation with the key user groups, staff developed a list of key priorities for the redevelopment and upgrade of the Wagga Cricket Ground components.
To develop these priorities further, in August 2023, Otium Planning Group was engaged to conduct further stakeholder engagement to develop a draft concept masterplan for Wagga Cricket Ground.
It is intended the masterplan serves as a long-term strategic document, developed to guide future works by ensuring they are completed in line with identified priorities derived from stakeholder and community consultation.
This approach ensures that any redevelopment occurs in a systematic manner, aligned with the masterplan's objectives, rather than through ad hoc decisions.
The masterplan includes a detailed component schedule for future facility improvements and upgrades, based on site analysis, sport and facility guidelines and stakeholder engagement finding.
A key consideration of the masterplan was the removal of the cycling track from around the oval. It had previously been identified for removal once the Wagga Wagga Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve was completed.
It is reaching its end of asset life and will become an increasing maintenance burden.
Removing the cycle track would enable expansion of the turf playing oval, creating space for a full-sized rectangular sports field, maximising playing surface for multiple sports providing increased flexibility during both summer and winter season.
The upgrade of supporting infrastructure such as cricket nets and upgraded change rooms would maximise participation opportunities.
This expansion increases the site's potential for bookings, as it would be able to be used for competitions rather than just training sessions.
The total cost of implementing all items identified within the masterplan is estimated to be in excess of $4.2 million, which is currently unfunded.
Prior to consideration of funding each project element will be subject to further analysis including a business case and detailed costing estimate during that project’s planning phase.
In order for the masterplan to be implemented, grant funding along with Council contribution and other stakeholder funding will be required, which is currently not included in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan.
