Lagoon Reserve upgrade

We're upgrading Lagoon Reserve to provide our local community with greater access to better sport and recreation opportunities.

Location

Lagoon Reserve, Port Melbourne

Cost

Council's budget for this project is approximately $15 million. This includes an upgrade to the entire reserve including a new pavilion, cricket nets, public toilets, BBQ, picnic facilities, a reconstructed sports field, new sports ground lighting and upgraded path network. A large portion of the cost goes to managing contaminated soil onsite and the EPA requirements of managing the soil.

Milestones

Why are we doing this?

We are committed to providing our local community with greater access to sport and recreation opportunities.

Lagoon Reserve is a popular spot for sports clubs and local residents who use the area recreationally. 

Due to poor soil, uneven surface, and lack of drainage, the sports field is in poor condition. This has impacted the ability of local sports clubs and community members to use the grounds. The sports fields, pavilion, and public toilet are in need of an upgrade to meet sports club and community requirements.

This redevelopment includes:

  • reconstructed sports field with improved levels, grass coverage, drainage, and lighting
  • new pavilion including new player and umpire change rooms that are inclusive for all, first aid room, kitchen, multi-purpose community spaces, and accessible public toilets
  • new cricket nets, BBQ, and picnic facilities
  • safer and better-lit pathways.

The impact

Turf Establishment Period

The establishment period has commenced, during which the park will remain closed to the public until October 2024. The reopening has been rescheduled from August to October as the turf is yet to establish strong roots, meaning it is susceptible to damage.

The longer establishment period will provide the best opportunity for the turf to develop a stronger root structure, providing a solid foundation for everyone to enjoy the new surface in the future.

Lighting

The lighting at Lagoon Reserve was tested in June.

Pavilion Construction

Construction of the pavilion is proposed for the April 2025 to September 2025. Clubs and user groups will be advised well in advance regarding any disruptions in accessing the ground.

All disruptions will be minimised as much as possible and alternative options will be communicated in advance.

Objectives

The renewal and upgrade of the Lagoon Reserve Pavilion will provide a suitably designed facility that will provide for existing club growth and attract other clubs to utilise Lagoon Reserve, taking pressure off the nearby sports facilities, particularly during peak periods and construction works at other reserves. 

Recent Update

An exciting milestone has been reached, with the testing of the new lights at Lagoon Reserve complete.  This project has been a long time in the making and we anticipate the field to reopen in October. The pavilion works on site will be around April-Sept 2025, noting off site modular works in the interim. 

An image from a lighting test at Lagoon Reserve in June.

What to expect

Stage one

Sports Field reconstruction, new cricket nets, sports lighting and new granitic sand path along the western and southern sides of the field

Works to improve the playing surfaces is now complete. These works will complement the lighting improvements and provide level playing surfaces for improved safety.

The toilets in this location will be closed while we upgrade the sports field and other facilities. Toilets are available in Edwards Park – a three-minute walk across the road.

The park will reopen to the pubic in October 2024, following the turf establishment period. The closest other dog off leash options are Gasworks Arts Park (400m) or the Beach between Port Melbourne Yacht Club and Lagoon Pier (2.3km).

Stage two

Pavilion, BBQ, picnic area and path lighting

A much-needed upgrade to the pavilion will include accessible and inclusive change rooms, amenities, kitchen, community space and public toilets. The reserve will also be updated with a new BBQ area including picnic facilities and a path lighting upgrade for safety.

About the Reserve

Lagoon Reserve in Port Melbourne is located on land reclaimed from a former lagoon which is heavily used for a variety of activities including: dog walking, competitive sport (soccer and cricket), physical education classes (Albert Park Secondary College (APSC)) and other passive recreation activities.

Facilities currently within the Reserve include:

  • A small sports pavilion (built in 1950s), comprising a small kitchen, two change rooms with showers & toilets and public toilets;
  • A sports field that is suitably sized for junior and lower grade senior cricket and soccer competition and training; The only lighting to the reserve is a single spotlight mounted on the Pavilion roof. There is a history of considerable community concern about the impact of lighting at the reserve on neighbouring properties.
  • Three cricket practice nets, barbeque, picnic facilities, seating and a pedestrian path;
  • Extensive garden beds which contain native flora and fauna of the local area. These have been developed and maintained in partnership with local community groups over many years.

There are three clubs using the Reserve regularly:

  1. Port Phillip Spiders Soccer Club 
  2. South Melbourne District Cricket Club 
  3. Emerald Hill Cricket Club

Contact us

The Open Space Project Delivery team is here to help.

Send us a message on My Port Phillip.

Phone: 03 9209 6777