ACT sportsgrounds will close for two weeks so ovals can be renovated for winter sport.

Now the summer sports season is over, ACT Government irrigated sportsgrounds will shut from Friday 18 to Thursday 31 March for autumn renovations. They will reopen on Friday 1 April.

“The mild summer weather and consistent rainfall have already provided ideal conditions for renovation works on some sports grounds, including improvements to turf and applying fertiliser,” said Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation.

The maintenance period is carried out twice yearly, at the beginning and end of the summer sport season.

The two-week closure will provide more opportunities for vital maintenance.

“This work will help ensure sportsgrounds remain in good condition for the many different sporting groups and individuals that use our ovals during winter,” Ms Berry said.

The maintenance crew will install goal posts and line marking to reflect the change in codes using the ovals.

The ACT Government liaises closely with sport peak bodies when grounds need to be closed for maintenance, or are too wet to play, Ms Berry said.

The minister thanked all sportsground users for their patience whilst these essential works were undertaken.

The ACT Government manages 127 irrigated sportsground sites across the Territory, with 882 individual sporting fields for hire – hosting year-round training and competitions.