New multimillion-dollar synthetic fields to open in Malabar, Maroubra

Sports clubs in southeast Sydney have been handed a huge boost with millions of dollars invested in state-of-the-art new pitches. FIND OUT WERE

Akira Kelly from the South East Magic Rugby Club at the official opening of the council's second synthetic field, at Latham Park, South Coogee.

The number of synthetic sports fields in the Randwick Council LGA is set to double – with a new synthetic pitch under construction in Malabar and another in the pipeline for Maroubra.

Two full-size synthetic fields were opened in 2016 and 2017 at Heffron Park in Maroubra and Latham Park in South Coogee.

Randwick Council now has plans to open two more.

The project at Pioneers Park in Malabar.

Work is currently underway on a $3 million project to upgrade Pioneers Park in Malabar which includes a new synthetic field, largely to be used for rugby league. That project is expected to be completed in May.

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Plans for a fourth synthetic field in the region have also been confirmed at Coral Sea Park in Maroubra, according to the council. A time frame for that project is yet to be announced.

Pioneers Park is the home of the South Eastern Seagulls Rugby League Club, while Coral Sea Park is the home of Maroubra United FC.

The project at Pioneers Park in Malabar including the new synthetic.

“It is fantastic in the sense you can train all the time,” Maroubra United FC president Ian Robinson said.

“When it rains if you play or train on (the current grass fields) it deteriorates really quickly. So it is much better for us if we have a consistent surface.”

He said the club boasts about 1000 players – mainly juniors – who currently share three fields at Coral Sea Park.

He said having to cancel trainings and games because of the weather was a headache for the club and teams.

“(A new synthetic) means that there is less cancellations and less congestion.”

He added for footballers the synthetic surface also helps with technique as it is perfectly flat. He added it could also open the door for six-a-side tournaments during the summer.

He said having two synthetic pitches at the ground would be ideal but that was still to be decided.

Randwick Mayor Danny said the synthetic surfaces were a huge boost for the area.

“Providing all-weather synthetic turf levels the playing field, so to speak, for many of our sporting teams in Randwick City.

“It allows them to play all year round on a ground that isn’t negatively impacted by weather, which is particularly useful during rain-heavy years like the one we’re having now.

“Maintenance costs and water requirements for upkeep are reduced.”

The existing synthetic fields at Maroubra and Coogee have proven hugely popular since they were opened in 2016 and 2017 particularly for soccer and rugby.

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