Game, set, match – new sporting infrastructure upgrades across SA

From sports fields to tennis courts, councils invest millions of dollars in maintaining and upgrading these spaces for the safety and enjoyment of all.

Take a look at what’s been happening!

Unley Oval – City of Unley

Unley Oval is a popular inner-suburban oval for a wide range of recreational purposes, and is home of SANFL club Sturt, as well as occasionally hosting AFLW games.

After a major upgrade, Unley Oval now sports a brand-new turf surface and lighting set-up.

The upgrade hasprovided new drainage, irrigation, sub-surface, turf surface as well as four new cricket pitches.

The project has also involved removing all existing metal halide lights which were at the end of their useful lives and installing new LED fittings – providing a better quality of light for SANFL trainings and other recreational activities.

"Now that we are hosting AFLW games, we needed to bring the surface up [to] the standard demanded by SANFL and the AFL," Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson said.

"The new playing field is the final piece of much-needed improvements at our Oval, and we can’t wait to see the finished result, which will make this a significant asset for the Unley community for generations to come."

Completed in April, the Unley Oval is now ready to enjoy.

Tanunda Recreation Park – The Barossa Council

Unveiled in late March, the range of new facilities for the Tanunda Recreation Park was welcomed by the community and sporting groups.

The Barossa Council Mayor Bim Lange said the contemporary facilities represent an investment of nearly $6.5 million, part of an overall investment of more than $11 million (including State Government grant funds) at the Park.

The new facilities include:

• shared clubrooms with 280 capacity seating and public lounge
• six gender-neutral changerooms plus umpire rooms
• gender-neutral toilets for sporting and public use
• spectator viewing to oval and courts with connecting internal breezeway
• office and storage spaces
• expanded use of existing Tanunda Show Hall commercial kitchen
• civil and landscaping improvements.

"This is a premier facility in regional South Australia, supporting our joint aspiration with the SANFL and SACA to develop the Barossa as a sports events tourism destination," Mayor Lange said.

"But these facilities are more than just infrastructure – they help build stronger clubs, provide social connection for people of all ages and support community wellbeing.

"High quality, inclusive facilities like these help clubs stay strong and grow and help keep people actively involved in sports and recreation."

Project completion date: March 2024

Morphett Vale’s Knox Park, Aldinga Sports Park, and Noarlunga United Soccer Club – The City of Onkaparinga

The City of Onkaparinga is leading a range of sporting development upgrades, including the multi-use sports park at Morphett Vale’s Knox Park, the upgrades to the Noarlunga United Soccer Club and Aldinga Sports Park.

At Knox Park, the multi-use sports facility will become a home ground for Southern Athletic Club and also accommodate soccer, junior Australian rules football, and other turf sports.

The project will include:

• irrigated oval with 400m athletics track
• athletics throw and jump facilities
• shelter with barbeque and seating
• priority site connecting footpath
• priority landscaping and tree planting
• fencing around the oval
• storage shed
• public toilet with disability access
• services connections including stormwater, water and electricity
• park playground upgrades.

"I’m thrilled for the local athletics community and the Southern Athletic Club, which currently doesn’t have a home ground," Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were said.

"The new sports park will also be a fantastic place to take the kids to the playground, have a barbecue, go for a jog, or walk the dogs, so I’m looking forward to seeing the place buzzing when it opens."

Estimated project completion date: May 2024

Modbury Sporting Club Ridgehaven – Tea Tree Gully

The Modbury Sporting Club – home to both the Modbury Football and Modbury Cricket clubs – is set to undergo a significant transformation with a new $5 million club room facility.

Located at Ridgehaven, the project will include four new unisex change rooms, umpire rooms, a function space, and amenities.

With a healthy community of more than 700 members, the new facility will enable the sporting club to better cater for further growth.

The works, scheduled for completion in 2025, will be funded by Tea Tree Gully Council ($1.12 million) and the State Government ($3.87 million).

Estimated project completion date: Mid-2025

Visit the City of Tea Tree Gully for more details about the Modbury Sporting Club upgrades.

Gawler and District Netball Association Courts, Gawler Oval – Town of Gawler

The Gawler and District Netball Association court redevelopment project includes new LED lighting, a new car park area, and 10 brand new courts.

In mid-March, the Town of Gawler hosted a sod turning event – signifying the first step in the redevelopment of the courts.

The redevelopment of the Gawler and District Netball Association Courts has been funded through a $4.8 million election commitment by the Malinauskas State Government.

"The community and Council have been lobbying for new courts for a long time," Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said.

"The proposed redevelopment will enhance the playing experience, improving safety and compliance with Netball Australia Standards."

Estimated project completion date: January 2025

The Town of Gawler has also been successful in securing $450,000 in grant funding through the South Australian State Government’s Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program towards the construction of a new inclusive changeroom facility at the Gawler Oval.

As one of the fastest growing council areas in the state – together with an uptick in women’s sport – the new inclusive changeroom will ensure all participants have a positive experience.