No .1 Sportsground Redevelopment

Maitland's No. 1 Sportsground rivals the best regional sporting grounds in NSW and reflects the site’s proud history.

Maitland Sportsground is an icon for the city and it has a rich history in our community spanning over 80 years. It has been home to many memorable sporting achievements and community milestones throughout the years, celebrating grand final wins, hosting significant local events and the venue of countless school athletics carnivals.

$8.6 mil

Project cost

$5.6 mil

Grant funds supplied by HIIF

1,100

Grandstand capacity

In 2017, the grandstand was upgraded to give the facility a new lease of life and ensure it remains a symbol of Maitland's future. The project saw the demolition of the old grandstands and construction of a 1,100 seat grandstand that has improved access and a significantly enhanced view of the playing field. The facility also features new change rooms, public amenities and canteen that will cater for a range of sporting and community events for years to come.

Historic significance

The site, once the route of the Hunter River before it changed course, was first developed in the 1930's as part of a publicly funded work creation scheme. In its early years it hosted a number of significant local events before becoming the iconic home of the Maitland Pickers, who saw particularly dominant periods through the 50's and 70's.

These stories, as well as the existing facility’s plaques and signage to honour prominent local identities, are shared through heritage interpretation works included in the grandstand forecourt. Notably, there is also a flood level interpretation on the glass of the function room which documents the height of the 1955 Maitland flood.

Project partners

The Maitland Regional Sportsground Complex (Stage 1) - Grandstand Redevelopment was jointly funded by the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund (HIIF) and Maitland City Council. The total cost of the project was $8.6 million with the HIIF contributing $5.6 million towards its completion. Construction of the facility was undertaken by North Construction and Building.

Australian Institute of Architects award

In March 2018, the sportsground grandstand won the Public Architecture Award at the Newcastle Architecture Awards.