Redeveloped Skinner Reserve opens
The redeveloped of Skinner Reserve in Braybrook has been completed with the upgraded facility now open for the community.
Considered by many as the ‘heart of Braybrook’ – the Reserve is a community focal point providing green open space that supports elite and community sporting use alike, and is home to a number of well used community facilities including the Braybrook Community Hub, Aeroplane Park playground, Skinner Reserve Oval and a pavilion. It also hosts training and is a match venue for local sports clubs in the winter months.
Over the past 12 months, the $3 million redevelopment, jointly funded by Council and new tenants, the Western Bulldogs Football Club (WBFC), has delivered upgrades to the playing surface and surrounds to enhance and support sporting and recreational community use.
This includes the laying of more than 19,500 square metres of couch grass across the Oval which, due to its durability and more efficient irrigation will provide enhanced use for the community as well as sporting competition and training activities.
A new 506m two-lane all weather running track has also been built around the perimeter of the oval. It has been topped with synthetic turf to provide a safe and durable surface that provides a level of shock absorption to support all abilities, from avid runners through to beginners and children.
New subsurface drainage and irrigation systems have been installed to facilitate ground maintenance and mitigate previous issues with water pooling on the playing surface. To improve safety and accessibility, four new floodlight towers with energy efficient LED light fittings have also been erected around the perimeter to support night use of the facility.
Other facility upgrades include new coaches’ boxes, boundary fencing, AFL goal posts, goal safety netting, spectator seating and an electronic scoreboard.
Mayor Cr Sarah Carter said, "It’s great to see this significant upgrade completed and our community back on Skinner Reserve enjoying the full suite of facilities again.
"Community sport and open space are highly valued assets by our community, and this redevelopment will help ensure this much-loved facility in the heart of Braybrook provides high quality facilities and amenities for the local community – now and for future generations."
