Northern Tasmania’s newest and arguably finest community sporting oval will be officially opened on Saturday, February 1.
The $2.5 million Legana Sports Oval was funded by the West Tamar Council, with a $519,000 grant from the Federal Government and $410,000 from the State Government.
The oval will be available for use by both the school community during school hours and the broader community outside of school hours.
West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl said the Oval is an exciting project for not only the Legana community, but for the entire West Tamar region.
“This amazing facility includes a full-sized sports oval that will be widely used by our community, along with four light towers, a cricket pitch and perimeter fencing.
To celebrate the official opening, Council hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, acknowledging representatives from all levels of government who have contributed to the oval.
A wide range of community activities have also been organised, including:
• A VIP “tape ball” cricket match hosted by the Legana Cricket Club
• A live broadcast by Chilli FM
• AFL junior clinics with Bridgenorth Football Club and Launceston Football Club
• Face painting
• Guided public tours of the new Legana Primary School
• Kids’ Cricket Blast! Activities
• A free community barbecue, coffee van and ice-cream and berry van. The first 120 coffees on the day will be free!
• Giveaway kids’ passes to Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre as well as free waterslide tickets from the Riverside Swimming Centre
Mayor Holmdahl said that the ever-popular Big Bash mascot Captain Hurricane will be on hand to entertain the crowd, which will include the VIP Tape Ball cricket match between guests and the Legana Cricket Club.
The match draws inspiration from Cricket Tasmania’s new “tape ball” format – think backyard cricket with a tennis ball wrapped in tape.
After the short hit-out, the community will be welcomed onto the Legana Sports Oval to enjoy a wide range of fun-filled activities including a children’s Cricket Blast Program hosted by the Legana Cricket Club, PCYC and Active Tasmania activities, and AFL football clinics hosted by the Bridgenorth Football Club and the Launceston Football Club, through until 12.30pm.
As an added incentive, Bridgenorth will be hosting Geelong Football Club young gun Ollie Henry as their special guest for the day in what is a tremendous coup for the club and the opening.
“This will be the community’s first opportunity to experience and enjoy this incredible recreational area, which will soon become a vibrant part of Legana Primary School, local sporting club activities and an anchor to the Legana recreation precinct into the future,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“We are really excited to not only officially open the oval but to celebrate this milestone with our community.”
Tasmanian Labor Senator Helen Polley said the new oval will be a new community hub for sport and recreation, improving physical and mental health and creating positive outcomes for the community.
“The benefits of sport are endless. It creates healthier communities, builds resilience, strength, cooperation and will ensure a strong community for decades to follow,” Senator Polley said.
“The Albanese Government invested $519,000 into this new sporting hub and we look forward to seeing it be enjoyed by the entire Legana community during and after school hours.”
Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said the Tasmanian Government is proud to have contributed $410,000 towards the Legana Sports Oval.
“These state-of-the-art facilities can be used not only by students from the brand new Legana Primary School, but also community sporting clubs in Legana for their regional competitions and events,” Minister Palmer said.
“The Tasmanian Government values strong and collaborative partnerships with local councils that deliver benefits to communities across Tasmania, and I can’t wait to see the new Legana Oval, and the new Legana Primary School come to life.”
Civil work began on the oval in December 2023, with the project completed by late May.
The Oval also features large capture netting around the western end of the ground behind the goal posts similar to those at UTAS Stadium.
Master planning for the Legana Oval Precinct is already underway courtesy of a $150,000 grant from the state government, with initial plans to build club and changeroom facilities alongside the oval, as well as indoor cricket nets for training, which is already at the design stage.
The purpose of the masterplan for the Legana Sport and Recreation Hub is to guide the future development and improvement of Council land in front of the new school building.
Mayor Holmdahl said this will include the development of a detailed concept design and associated costings of a multi-purpose community sport and recreation hub that meets the current and future needs of the community and considers the unique character and local significance of the site.
In the interim, Council has installed a temporary clubroom structure which will include accessible toilet facilities, changerooms and showers, as well as an undercover deck.