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WORK START: The 'scalping' of Memorial Oval has started as part of the surface upgrade.
Whyalla’s Memorial Oval is undertaking an exciting new project to rejuvenate the playing surface.
The oval surface will be off limits to organised sport and school activities for a maximum of eight weeks after work started today (Wednesday, April 10) at the city venue. The public is also asked to stay off the oval surface while this vital work is carried out.
Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of the surface, has been working closely with the Whyalla Football League (WFL) and the Memorial Oval Primary School (MOPS) on the timing of this work and to organise alternative venues for their activities.
An updated football fixture will be released following a WFL meeting tonight (Wednesday, April 10). MOPS will be adjusting and transferring regular oval activities for students to existing areas in the school. The drop-off and pick-up area and times for school children at MOPS will not be affected.
Council CEO Chris Cowley said it was unfortunate this work had to commence so early in the football season but Council had no options due to the seasonal requirements of the upgrade and grass-growing program for the surface.
“This isn’t work that can be done in the middle of summer or winter,” Mr Cowley said.
“If we did it eight weeks ago, it would have impacted on the cricket season, so there really is no ideal time to do this sort of work without causing some disruptions.
“We just don’t have the necessary window between the cricket and football seasons to do this work without causing some disruptions to sport and activities on the oval.
“We’ve been working closely with the football league and the school that uses this oval to ensure there is the least amount of inconvenience and find some real solutions for them with their activities.”
Work has started to “scalp” the existing grass from the surface to prepare for 300 tonnes of top dressing that will create a more even playing surface. Council work crews, that will be working overtime and weekends to get this work done as quickly as possible, will then fertilise the oval after Easter and water it before repeating the process.
“This surface has had its problems for the past seven years,” Mr Cowley said.
“We’ve now bitten the bullet to get this work done and will be of huge benefit to all users of the oval going forward.”