It's still far from certain the Group 11 finals will be played this year, but should they go ahead it's currently unclear where the matches would be staged.
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Apex Oval, the premier facility in the region and the host of the past seven Group 11 grand final days, is set to be closed from October 10 for maintenance work while a number of upgrades at Wellington's Kennard were scheduled to start this week.
With Dubbo CYMS and Wellington the top two teams in the first grade competition, it means neither would be hosting finals matches should play resume.
"They won't be in Dubbo," Group 11 president Bob Walsh confirmed.
"There's other grounds that will be available but Wellington is unavailable too."
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Dubbo Regional Council confirmed the work at both locations.
Apex Oval will be undergoing it's regular renovation period where council staff spray, shave the surface and top dress the field to get rid of the winter rye grass, which is the best to play on, leaving just the couch to grow over the summer.
"The earlier the winter rye grass is removed the better it is for the overall playing surface health in the future," Skye Price, Director Livability at Dubbo Regional Council, said.
"This year will be the latest date council has completed the renovation period at Apex Oval main field. This will result in additional work being required to ensure a quality turf surface for next year."
The upgrades at Kennard Park include refurbishing the change rooms and canteen.
The Macquarie Raiders finished fourth on the ladder but will also not host finals as they too call Apex Oval home.
Nyngan and Parkes were the others side to finish in the top five this season.
"It will be what's available," Walsh said of potential finals.
"And if they put a restriction on the number of people that will count too. The bigger the ground, the more people we can get in.
"But that's down the track a long way yet."
The issues of grounds is yet to be discussed at any great length by the Group 11 board as they wait for a lockdown announcement this week.
That will play a major role in any decision about the season as Group 11 want teams involved in finals to have at least two weeks of training prior to the resumption of matches.
With lockdown expected to be extended this week, the chance to play a regular five-team finals looks almost impossible and the chance of any play is more slim.
"Our final decision will come from advice from NSW Health and the welfare of our players," Walsh said.
"There's been a few comments on social media about it should be called off because of player welfare and we're not going to play if it endanger the health of players.
"But they've put a lot into the season and it's been one of the closest comps we've had for a long time so if we've got the opportunity to give those players and clubs the chance to be the premiers for 2021 then that's what our aim is, but it won't be done at all costs."
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