Kingborough Lions United Football Club officially unveiled the newly completed Lightwood Park Pavilion and upgraded facilities on Wednesday, June 18, celebrating the end of a four-year redevelopment that has turned the site into Southern Tasmania’s leading football hub.
Completed in three stages from 2022 to 2025, the $6.53 million development has delivered a FIFA-compliant venue boasting eight changerooms, three referee rooms, medical and kit areas, a redeveloped main pitch with professional lighting, and an impressive 830-seat grandstand.
Lightwood Park’s transformation began more than ten years ago, when the Kingborough Lions United FC Committee of Management recognised the need for improved facilities to support the expanding football community, especially the rising number of female participants.
Club President Brian Downes, highlighted the importance of collaboration and community in bringing the project to life, noting the evolution from a simple need for improved changerooms to a world-class facility designed to benefit future generations.
“This facility represents the power of collaboration between all levels of government and our dedicated football community, what started as a need for better changerooms has evolved into a world-class facility that will serve our community for generations to come,” he said via press release.
The initiative secured strong support across federal, state, and local government levels:
- Following a 2022 election promise, the Federal Government invested $3.03 million.
- State Government funding of $3.3 million includes $300,000 from the 2018 ‘Levelling the Playing Field’ Grant and $3 million pledged in 2021 as part of Tasmania’s commitment to the FIFA Women’s World Cup legacy.
- Kingborough Council contributed $246,000 through several rounds of funding.
The fully developed Lightwood Park Pavilion showcases:
- Eight FIFA-compliant changerooms that can be combined into four spacious units
- Three exclusive rooms for referees
- Medical room and equipment storage areas
- Publicly accessible universal access restroom
- Fully rebuilt main pitch (Clennett’s Lightwood Park) featuring upgraded drainage and irrigation systems
- Advanced professional lighting with a 500 lux output
- Striking grandstand with seating for 830 spectators
Federal Member for Franklin, The Hon Julie Collins MP, expressed her pride in fulfilling a key 2022 election promise to the Kingborough community with the delivery of this important project.
“I am proud to see this important election commitment I secured for the Kingborough community back in 2022 now delivered,” she said via press release.
“This project is all about delivering a world class facility for southern Tasmania and providing more opportunities for grassroot players, including new female players. These upgrades have been driven by the community and are thanks to the volunteers and members who are part of the Kingborough Lions United FC.
“I will always fight to ensure Franklin, including the Kingborough community, gets its fair share.”
The upgraded Lightwood Park facility provides the community with a world-class venue that supports the growth and development of football at all levels. It creates an inclusive space that encourages greater participation, especially for women and youth, strengthening the local sporting culture and fostering community pride.
