Soccer on the southside of Canberra has been given a major boost, with the ACT Government committing $6.7 million towards a new facility at Melrose.
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The upgrade at the Melrose High School oval will include a FIFA accredited synthetic soccer field, a natural turf field and improved facilities, such as a sports pavillion, landscaping and change rooms.
Work on the project will begin next year with the fields expected to be ready for training and games in 2017.
The ACT government initially promised the project during the 2012 election, but it was put on the backburner.
The two new grounds will provide extra resources to Canberra's growing soccer community, with more than 16,000 players registered for outdoor competitons.
ACT Sports Minister Shane Rattenbury said the new facility was essential to keeping up with demands of the sport.
"Football is booming and it lifts our capacity on the south side of Canberra," Mr Rattenbury said. "It's important we keep investing in these bits of infrastructure so that people can go out and play.
"This one has been a while in its gestation so it's time to get it delivered."
Mr Rattenbury said the government would investigate new facilities in the Molonglo area and Stromlo Forest Park in years to come.
He admitted there were issues with the playing surface at the redeveloped Woden Athletics Park, which was opened this year.
"The Sport and Rec guys are working hard with Capital Football to sort that out," he said. There's a few teething issues this season, but by next season I expect that turf will be in great shape."
Capital Football chief executive Heather Reid said the addition of another synthetic field to go alongside the Hawker Football Centre would take some of the pressure off fitting in training and games.
"Hawker has been open for seven years now and it's almost non-stop from four o'clock onwards," Ms Reid said. "Our numbers are going through the roof and our growth is limited by the fact we don't have anywhere else to play.
"It's a good opportunity for clubs like Woden-Weston in the NPL to have another training venue and for community football."
In this weekend's men's National Premier League games, ladder leaders Canberra Olympic will be aiming to stay on top when they host Tigers FC in the match of the round on Sunday.
Tuggeranong United and Belconnen United square off at Kambah, while Monaro Panthers entertain Woden-Weston FC in Sunday's other games.
In the only fixture on Saturday, the FFA Centre of Excellence takes on Canberra FC at the AIS.
