The $19.6 million Lavington Sports Ground redevelopment has made the venue "10 times better" than Ballarat's Eureka Stadium and on a par with Canberra's Manuka Oval, according to Albury mayor Kevin Mack.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Ballarat and Canberra venues have been regular hosts of AFL premiership point matches in recent seasons with the national capital's showpiece ground also hosting international cricket.
But after a trouble-plagued makeover, Albury Council will intensify efforts to woo major sporting events to Lavington post COVID.
"Having been to Ballarat, and this is not a knock on Ballarat, but this is 10 times better than Ballarat and is on the Manuka level," Cr Mack said.
"It's certainly something (sporting) codes will see and respect.
"It has had its moments, but look at what we've got here.
"It was worth the struggle and we apologise to the ratepayers for the over runs.
"But as councillors and staff we couldn't foresee that being the case where we purchased the ground and what was underneath it."
The redevelopment was bankrolled with the assistance of federal and state government funding with further works to take place including a new scoreboard, Centaur Road car park, terraced seating, netball facility upgrades and further tree planting and landscaping.
IN OTHER NEWS
Major improvements to date include the grandstand extension with capacity for almost 1800 spectators, additional changerooms and AFL standard coaching, media and timekeeping areas.
An official opening including federal and state government will take place next month.
A business manager will be appointed by council with part of their role being to attract major events.
"It will be somewhere where elite (sport) will come," Cr Mack said.
"Our focus is to attract people to the region and post COVID this sort of infrastructure is something that has come along at the right time.
"There have been some loyal codes to Albury and Wodonga in terms of the AFL and NRL particularly.
"Either or would be great.
"We had the Big Bash (cricket) all signed up for this year and again it's hit some hurdles."
The 1992 World Cup cricket match between England and Zimbabwe remains the biggest sporting event to be played at Lavington.
Lavington Football-Netball Club will remain based at the ground and is resigned to paying an increased amount to use the facility post the upgrade.
"It is a fantastic outcome for the football-netball club," Panthers vice-president Graham Hart said.
"What we had in the past was good quality, but this takes it to a new level.
"The whole club is buzzing about getting out here and utilising it.
"Fees and charges policies change with an updated facility, but the council and their staff have been extremely consultative.
"There are huge opportunities with a facility like this for growth, increased participation and attraction of other events."
The property was recently put back on the market.
Scott Walters bought it in 2016, two years after the sports club was abruptly shut by the Panthers Entertainment Group.
The council previously considered buying the site.
"It's not on our radar at all," Cr Mack said.
"It's something we've considered three times during the last eight years.
"We looked at it for car parking, but there is adequate car parking in this space for major events.
"It's beyond our remit $1.05 million."