Boomanulla Oval is a step closer on its long journey towards reopening after its preferred tenderer engaged consultants for a concept plan guiding its revamp, but government funding for the project is uncertain.
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Canberra firm Judd Studio will work with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service to consult Narrabundah residents about a new plan for the suburban oval, which has been closed for three years.
However Winnunga says unless the ACT government provides $3.5 million in funding in this year's budget, the oval will not open before 2020 at the earliest.
Winnunga chief executive Julie Tongs said the decision to engage the consultants was part of a long process to reopen the oval.
The park, named after Indigenous advocate Mervin John "Boominulla" Williams, is a significant football ground for the national Aboriginal community and once hosted training sessions for visiting NRL teams.
Ms Tongs said $3.5 million was needed to restore the site to a level fit for reopening.
"We don't have $3.5 million. We don't get funded for Boomanulla Oval," she said.
"We can't let Boomanulla Oval fly under the radar any longer."
Ms Tongs said the oval remained closed while the baseball park next door benefited from millions of dollars in government funding.
An ACT government spokesman said the stage two upgrade of the Narrabundah Ballpark had gone ahead as it was a 2012 election commitment.
Winnunga has asked the ACT government for $3.5 million in its 2017-18 budget to restore Boomanulla Oval.
A government spokesman said because the budget was being developed it could not comment on funding allocations.
However any government decision to provide funding for improvements to Boomanulla Oval must be supported by a viable business model for the site, he said.
"Winnunga Aboriginal Health Service is currently undertaking this work as part of their request for tender submission," he said.
Winnunga is forming a steering committee for the project and said it would consult with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community about the future of the oval, and seek the views of the local non-Indigenous community, particularly Narrabundah residents.
