Standing in the centre of Bendigo Stadium’s new show court, the dimensions of the main retractable stands are hard to ignore.
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Comfortable plastic seats are a far cry from the wooden slabs of yesteryear, and you won’t need to bring a doona if you’re sat on the top row.
The Bendigo Braves and Lady Braves will play the first competitive games on the new show court at the expanded stadium, but future international events are less clear.
Bendigo Stadium chief executive officer Nathan O’Neill said there was “big news to come”, and was confident major events would be held at the stadium over the next 12-18 months.
Read more: Plans for Bendigo Stadium unveiled
He said the stadium would look to find a balance between hosting major events and hosting junior pathway sports.
The $23 million expansion has created a show court with a capacity of 4000 with retractable seating turning the court into three extra courts.
Bendigo council's active and healthy communities manager Lincoln Fitzgerald said when complete, the stadium will have 10 indoor and 12 outdoor courts, making it one of the biggest facilities in regional Australia.
“No longer will kids have to play at 10,11 o’clock at night, this is about people being able to play sport at reasonable hours and having reasonable access to fantastic facilities,” he said.
The stadium build, which like the Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre was due to be completed in mid-2017, was held up by a wet winter in 2016.
It will officially open on May 25 as both teams host the Sandringham Sabres and Bendigo Stadium is offering $5 tickets for the event.
Mayor Margaret O’Rourke said the facility was required by the community.
“We have 10,000 young people and adults that use this facility every week. We also know this (stadium) is an economic driver for our community,” she said.
The ability to host major events had flow on effects for the local economy, Cr O’Rourke said.
The expansion also features a kiosk/bar, crèche, change rooms, updated administration area, meeting rooms, retail area and storage.