The club will set up a new home at the Horsham Racecourse.

Horsham Rural City Council’s  sustainability, environment and emergency manager Rob  Moir said the project would cost about  $90,000.

‘‘The infield area of the trotting track at the Horsham Racecourse, half of that area has previously been used for hockey and softball,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re looking at upgrading that area and adding two full-size soccer fields.’’

Mr Moir said the plan was to start work on the new fields as soon as possible.

‘‘All the works are being organised at the moment and should start early in the new year,’’ he said.

‘‘Hopefully they’ll be on the grounds for next season.

‘‘We’ve just got to put in all the irrigation, get the site laser levelled and put the turf down.’’

The club has previously called Horsham’s Dudley Cornell Park home.

However, a turf cricket wicket in the centre of the oval – which overlaps onto the club’s soccer pitch in winter – makes for far from ideal soccer conditions.

The club received $100,000 for a redevelopment of the Horsham Showground in March last year, but Mr Moir said that plan would not work.

He said the new fields at Horsham Racecourse would also benefit from a $130,000 project funded by the now-abolished Office of Living Victoria.

‘‘The other thing that’s linked to it all is a wetland in there that collects stormwater – that’s used to irrigate the racecourse and the infield,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re looking to increase storage capacity to decrease costs for clubs.’’

Horsham and District Soccer Club committee member Gavin McRoberts said the club hoped the new pitches would help  attract more members.

The club fielded a senior men’s and under-15s side in the Ballarat and District Soccer Association competition last season.

It also ran two internal junior competitions.

‘‘We need kids in the under-17 age group as well as any seniors, both men and women,’’ he said.

‘‘We need more kids for miniroos and internals as well.’’

Mr McRoberts said the club was exploring the possibility of fielding a senior women’s team in the Ballarat and District competition next season.

‘‘We’ve got about six to eight players who we know of, but we’re looking to double that amount,’’ he said.

McRoberts said the club’s committee would meet in early to mid-January to start planning for next season.