Wait on finishing touches delays debut cricket match at newly revamped Reid Oval

While the city was set to ring in the new year with a finished facility, the first scheduled game for January 3 at the oval will not go ahead.

Instead, the first cricket match at the new facility will be the division one fixture between Nestles and North Warrnambool Eels on January 15.

Reid Oval project control group chair councillor Debbie Arnott said initially the first match was scheduled to be part of Under 17 Country Week on January 3.

"However, the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association in conjunction with the clubs and council have decided to make a change," Cr Arnott said.

"While the playing surface and the wicket will be ready to go by the beginning of January, there's still work to be done on the pavilion and the area around the oval.

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"So while the ground is ready, the facilities for players and spectators aren't quite there yet.

"We are working with the association and clubs and we are looking forward to the first match on January 15."

Cr Arnott said the pavilion was expected to be ready for full use later in the cricket season.

"Landscaping and grass seeding needs to happen around the oval before it is ready for a capacity crowd, but one of the features of the pavilion is the tiered seating for spectators," she said.

"We'd like to thank the association, clubs and other stakeholders as we approach the finish line of this major redevelopment project for south-west Victoria's premier sporting facility."

Councillors last month labelled the redeveloped Reid Oval grandstand a "huge mistake" and "terrible disappointment" after it was revealed the view would be obscured on game day because of a design flaw. The redevelopment was funded by the Victorian Government with the council, the AFL and Cricket Victoria chipping in.

The redevelopment includes a completely new playing surface with a clay cricket wicket, a modern two-storey pavilion, a lighting upgrade to allow for games to be played at night and better training facilities, including multi-purpose cricket nets and a training oval to the north-east of the main ground.

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