Newcastle councillors will vote next week on successful tenderers for a new South Newcastle beach skate park and upgrade work at No.1 Sportsground.
A report to go before Tuesday night's council meeting says the South Newcastle project will cost $12.6 million and include a skate park, kiosk, shade, seating, walking path, seawall repairs and exercise equipment.
The council, which won a $5 million Restart NSW grant for the redevelopment, amended the project after initially proposing a skate bowl jutting out onto the sand.
The work, which is expected to be completed within a year, is the latest stage of the council's 10-year Bathers Way project.
The subsequent stage will include work on and around the Newcastle beach pavilion. The council is also planning a $10 million upgrade to the nearby Newcastle Ocean Baths pools.
Council staff will recommend one of six building companies which have tendered for the South Newcastle job before the councillors vote in a confidential session.
The council will also choose a winning tender for $6 million in work to upgrade No.1 Sportsground to a "regional-level" cricket and Australian rules venue.
A $1.6 million insurance payout from the burnt-down Life Without Barriers building will help fund the work.
The project includes increasing the size of the playing surface at No.1 to cater for top-level AFL, resurfacing, concrete bleachers to seat 390 spectators, better 750-lux lighting, drainage and a new fence, sightscreens and cricket square.
City of Newcastle has said the works will allow No.1 to host pre-season AFL matches and "Big Bash-style" cricket.
The ground will be out of action for another year while the work continues. AFL tenant club Newcastle City will play at Wickham's Hawkins Oval until then.
