sport
Central Coast Facilities Venues and Infrastructure Supporting Sport Locally
Council funding targets upgrades at key sites to handle rising participation across the region.
How we reported this
The Central Coast City Council approved $45 million in capital works last week for stadium and field improvements at multiple venues, with construction crews scheduled to start on the first stage by 15 August.
Interest in local sport has climbed sharply after the 2026 World Cup quarter-final run by Argentina and England, pushing more residents toward organised programs and weekend competitions that already strain existing grounds.
Targeted upgrades at two main sites
Work will focus first on the Central Coast Stadium complex off Harbour Street in Gosford, where the main pitch drainage and lighting towers will be replaced, and on the Pluim Park fields in Ourimbah, where two new synthetic training pitches will be laid alongside the existing rugby and soccer ovals. The Central Coast Mariners academy and the local junior rugby league clubs that share those grounds have already been notified of temporary relocation schedules during the six-month build.
City records show sports participation rose 22 percent between 2023 and 2025, with more than 18,000 registered players now using council pitches each weekend. The new budget includes $12 million earmarked for the Gosford lighting upgrade alone, a figure drawn from the 2026-27 capital works program released on 8 July.
Next steps for clubs and residents
Clubs can apply for priority booking slots at the upgraded sites through the council’s online portal starting 1 September, while individual residents seeking casual access are advised to check the weekly availability lists posted at the Erina Leisure Centre on The Entrance Road. Further funding rounds for smaller neighbourhood courts will open in early 2027.