sport
Coburg Approves Second Hockey Pitch for McDonald Reserve Redevelopment
Brunswick Hockey Club gains momentum for expanded facilities through shared use at the Coburg site alongside tennis and soccer groups.
How we reported this
Merri-bek Council has backed a masterplan that clears the way for a second synthetic hockey pitch at McDonald Reserve in Coburg. The endorsement moves the project into public consultation and sets the stage for the first construction phase to be considered in the upcoming budget round.
The decision comes as Brunswick Hockey Club has expanded well beyond its single existing pitch and limited changing rooms at Brunswick Secondary College. With membership now supporting more than 35 teams, the club has pressed for additional space since 2021, and McDonald Reserve emerged as the preferred location after earlier reviews ruled out sites closer to Brunswick.
Shared facilities planned at McDonald Reserve
Under the endorsed plan the new hockey pitch would run alongside a reconfigured soccer field, with shared lighting, a common pavilion and storage areas. Additional tennis courts, dedicated pickleball courts and extra parking would complete the layout, and Coburg High School would have daytime access. The first stage focuses on the hockey surface, lighting and a basic spectator shelter, with the balance of works to follow.
The full redevelopment is costed at close to 15 million dollars, and the initial 3.5 million dollar stage has been referred to the 2025-26 budget process. East Coburg Tennis Club and Brunswick Juventus Football Club are listed as co-users of the redeveloped reserve, which sits at the corner of Bell Street and Pentridge Boulevard. The masterplan received unanimous support at the council meeting held on 12 February.
Community use and next steps
Club representatives have stressed that the new facilities must serve the broader neighbourhood, including school programs and casual community access rather than exclusive use by any single group. Environmental considerations around the choice of synthetic turf surface have already been raised during early discussions, with calls for options that limit microplastic runoff.
A further report incorporating final designs and feedback from the current consultation period is scheduled for council consideration in April. Residents interested in the project can review the masterplan documents on the council website and submit comments during the open consultation window before that meeting.