A great turf wicket replacement at Jubilee Park’s A H Butler Oval!

Published on 16 November 2021

Cricketers at the A H Butler Oval will hit the opposition for six thanks to a turf wicket replacement.

Works totalling $115,000 funded by Frankston City Council included removing the existing turf wicket soil and drainage layer, installing a new drainage layer, turf wicket soil and instant turf for the wicket table.

South Ward Cr Brad Hill said Council is proud to complete the works, adding that staying fit, healthy and active has a beneficial effect on our sense of physical and mental wellbeing.

“From providing vital social interaction, community connections, exercise and simply the opportunity to get out and enjoy our wonderful open spaces, sport has it all,” Cr Hill said.

Mayor Kris Bolam, Deputy Mayor Nathan Conroy and Cr Hill met with Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club General Manager Mike Ronchi, Executive member Cliff Wright and other club officials to discuss the project recently.

Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club General Manager Mike Ronchi said: “This brings the ground up to first class standard and complements the high performance centre that we have. When all the works are complete it will be one of the best cricket precincts in the state.”

The works were undertaken as the existing turf wicket soil (Portland) is no longer available and new soil is required annually for renovation works.

Cr Hill said: “It’s not appropriate to mix two different soils together as they aren’t compatible.”

The Portland Soil has been replaced with Merri Creek soil, which is readily available. Over the past four years, Council has reconstructed the practice wickets and John Coburn Oval wicket tables using Merri Creek Soil – providing the entire turf wicket tables with a consistent soil.

Frankston City boasts a vast range of sporting clubs and opportunities for recreation. For more information, please click here.