The funding coincides with a Wollongong Council allocation to construct a new scoreboard and video board, with officials hoping it will lead to the club hosting higher-level rugby fixtures and more community events.

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"We want to attract A-grade state and national games," Vikings vice-president Andrew Barrett said. "We're not able to attract Super Rugby, but we can play everything below that, including Super W, with these new lights.

"We've previously had NSW Under-20s fixtures and we'd love to get future matches. That was part of the application, we had endorsement from NSW Rugby that they will look to utilise the facility in the future and bring games down here."

The Vikings' grant is one of five allocated by the state government, with Illawarra Stingrays receiving $300,000 to upgrade fencing, seating and landscaping at Guest Park.

Funding has been provided to Illawarra Hockey to resurface fields and install new lights, while Wollongong Council was given two grants of $1 million for work on the netball courts at Fred Finch Park and to build a regional tennis hub.

For Vikings, the funding will play a role in the club's efforts to be more than just a rugby union team.

"We want to open up Vikings to greater than just the rugby community," Barrett said. "This is the first step in our long-term vision of the club as a true community organisation."