City of Newcastle has scored a $937,500 grant to upgrade Newcastle Olympic's home ground in Darling Street, Hamilton South.
The Newcastle Herald revealed on Monday that the NSW government would allocate an undisclosed amount in Tuesday's budget to build a new grandstand and amenities at the venue, a year after club director Kosta Patsan slammed the federal government at a sports rorts inquiry.
The club had hoped the council would receive $500,000 under the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund, but Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin announced on Thursday that the grant would exceed the club's expectations.
The Newcastle Herald understands the council asked for $937,500 to help fund a $1.75 million project.
The club has raised $200,000 and won a separate $300,000 state grant at the end of last year.
Club secretary Con Gounis said Olympic was "pretty excited".
He said the grant could allow the club to return to its original, more ambitious plans for the ground.
The project includes new women's change rooms and reconfiguring the pitch.
Newcastle Basketball is moving its Broadmeadow base to Lake Macquarie council area after receiving a $25 million commitment from the state two years ago.
The government included Newcastle and Wollongong in the latest funding round for the renamed Greater Cities Sports Facility Fund at the end of last year.
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