Glenelg Oval Overhaul
Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2016 12:10 pmNot to steal Norwood's thunder, but...
A $20 MILLION overhaul of Glenelg Oval would open the complex up for more sports and help it attract more major sporting events, Holdfast Bay Council says. The council has voted to put its grand plan out for consultation, but is yet to set aside any money for the works.
Under the plans, the council would build a new two-court indoor sports centre at the corner of Brighton Rd and Rugless Tce, a new tennis clubroom, resurface eight tennis courts and install a new playground, public toilets and half-court basketball court. The scoreboard would also be replaced, and the council would introduce new cricket nets, indoor cricket and football gyms. The work also includes upgrading the Glenelg Football Club function centre, offices and changerooms.
Several councillors at last week’s meeting questioned the timing of asking locals what they thought of the plans, since there was no money to fund any of it. But Cr Amanda Wilson said the council should be ready in case organisations such as the South Australian Cricket Association decided to stump up funding.
“The SACA needs an extra oval for first-class games and, if we’re not ready, we might lose them to another oval,” Cr Wilson said.
Cr Rosemary Clancy said having the plan complete by next year – even without any funding for it – meant it would be ready in time for the next federal election. The council’s $15 million Brighton Oval masterplan – of which only $2 million is funded – was delayed too long to attract funding pledges from the major parties before July’s national poll.
“Unless you get it done now, you’re not going to get any money in the next round (of funding) and then it’s five years away,” Cr Clancy said.
The Glenelg District Cricket Club, Glenelg Football Club, Holdfast Tennis Club and Glenelg Primary School formed a committee last year to push for the oval upgrade, with the support of the SA Cricket Association. “Cricket Australia/SACA have been identified as a possible funding source to support this project,” a report to the council said. It said staff would look for other funding sources once it had feedback from the wider community. The report said some buildings at the Glenelg East site were ageing and not disability accessible.
“Player changerooms and amenities are dysfunctional and are not compatible with the level of sport being played,” the report said. Surveyors estimated the overhaul’s cost at $19.94 million. Holdfast Tennis Club president Brian Wilson said replacing the club’s 98-year-old building would allow it to hold more functions and attract more members. “It’s very substandard,” Mr Wilson said. “It doesn’t so much restrict the number of players but does affect the versatility of the venue.”
The council will consult the community on the plans in February.
A $20 MILLION overhaul of Glenelg Oval would open the complex up for more sports and help it attract more major sporting events, Holdfast Bay Council says. The council has voted to put its grand plan out for consultation, but is yet to set aside any money for the works.
Under the plans, the council would build a new two-court indoor sports centre at the corner of Brighton Rd and Rugless Tce, a new tennis clubroom, resurface eight tennis courts and install a new playground, public toilets and half-court basketball court. The scoreboard would also be replaced, and the council would introduce new cricket nets, indoor cricket and football gyms. The work also includes upgrading the Glenelg Football Club function centre, offices and changerooms.
Several councillors at last week’s meeting questioned the timing of asking locals what they thought of the plans, since there was no money to fund any of it. But Cr Amanda Wilson said the council should be ready in case organisations such as the South Australian Cricket Association decided to stump up funding.
“The SACA needs an extra oval for first-class games and, if we’re not ready, we might lose them to another oval,” Cr Wilson said.
Cr Rosemary Clancy said having the plan complete by next year – even without any funding for it – meant it would be ready in time for the next federal election. The council’s $15 million Brighton Oval masterplan – of which only $2 million is funded – was delayed too long to attract funding pledges from the major parties before July’s national poll.
“Unless you get it done now, you’re not going to get any money in the next round (of funding) and then it’s five years away,” Cr Clancy said.
The Glenelg District Cricket Club, Glenelg Football Club, Holdfast Tennis Club and Glenelg Primary School formed a committee last year to push for the oval upgrade, with the support of the SA Cricket Association. “Cricket Australia/SACA have been identified as a possible funding source to support this project,” a report to the council said. It said staff would look for other funding sources once it had feedback from the wider community. The report said some buildings at the Glenelg East site were ageing and not disability accessible.
“Player changerooms and amenities are dysfunctional and are not compatible with the level of sport being played,” the report said. Surveyors estimated the overhaul’s cost at $19.94 million. Holdfast Tennis Club president Brian Wilson said replacing the club’s 98-year-old building would allow it to hold more functions and attract more members. “It’s very substandard,” Mr Wilson said. “It doesn’t so much restrict the number of players but does affect the versatility of the venue.”
The council will consult the community on the plans in February.
