newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie City Council has finished a $5.3 million upgrade of Harold Knight Oval at Gateshead, unveiling expanded playing fields, improved lighting and new amenities ahead of its first match under lights on Thursday night.
The project is designed to modernise a central sporting precinct used by multiple local groups, with funding shared between council, the NSW Government and the Australian Government.
The venue’s first major outing after the works came when Kahibah hosted the 2026 Northern NSW National Premier Leagues (NPL) season opener against Lambton Jaffas at its new home base, in what council said was the 100-year-old club’s first match in the top-flight.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz cut the ribbon before kick-off, saying the oval “was in need of an upgrade to adequately support Kahibah FC and the user groups that call it home”. Shultz said council was “proud to facilitate upgrades like these, making sport, active recreation and social connection more accessible – and enjoyable – for all in our community”.
Council said the scope of works included two expanded and reconfigured rectangular sports fields, upgraded lighting and a new amenities building, alongside improvements to fencing and irrigation, new pedestrian paths, realignment of an existing shared pedestrian cycleway and construction of accessible car parking.
A $1 million contribution from the NSW Government’s Greater Cities and Regional Sport Facility Fund supported the fields and building, with NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper saying the upgrade was important for local clubs and community participation. “These upgrades bring the field and amenities up to modern standards, allowing grassroots clubs to grow participation across all ages and abilities right here in Gateshead,” Kamper said.
The new car park was funded by $200,000 from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, with Federal Member for Shortland Pat Conroy saying it would help ensure “everyone in the community can safely and easily access the oval”. “This important upgrade will enable more people to enjoy local sport, community events and open space, helping to build a more inclusive, connected community,” Conroy said.
Council contributed $4.2 million towards the project.
