City Oval changeroom upgrades complete as Ballarat clubs eye winter finals push

The City Oval grandstand changeroom upgrades finished this month, giving local teams fresh player facilities after work that began in late 2025.

Ballarat sides across several codes head into the back half of the winter season with finals in sight, and the refreshed amenities arrive just as clubs finalise squads and training schedules for the run home.

Heritage preserved while access widens

City Oval has stood as a Ballarat landmark for more than 128 years, and the latest works kept the 1898 grandstand intact while replacing old internal rooms with updated changerooms, toilets and showers that meet AFL Local Level standards. The changes also add female-friendly and accessible spaces that line up with AFL Preferred Facilities Guidelines, allowing more residents of any age, gender or ability to take part in sport at the venue.

Structural fixes were completed at the same time to keep the grandstand safe for ongoing use, striking a balance between the site’s heritage value and current community needs.

Funding details and next steps

The City of Ballarat contributed $1.7 million to the project, backed by a $100,000 grant from the Australian Football League through the Australian Football Facilities Fund, according to the mayor’s message published on the council website on 17 July 2026. These figures cover the internal refurbishment that supports greater participation in football, netball, umpiring and athletics at the ground.

Looking ahead, the City of Ballarat will start a refreshed master planning process for the whole City Oval reserve, with community consultation set for late 2026. That work will examine accessibility, heritage protection and ways to strengthen the precinct’s role for both sport and events.

Local clubs can now use the upgraded spaces for the rest of the season and into finals preparation, while the upcoming planning round offers residents a direct say on how the broader site develops from here.