Adelaide’s worst grandstand to get a $2.5 million makeover

THE grandstand dubbed “one of the poorest in Adelaide” is set to be replaced with a new clubhouse after the State Government committed $2.5 million to an upgrade.

Long time volunteer Colin Nelson, of Goodwood Saints Football Club, in front of the grandstand. Picture: Campbell Brodie.

• Plea for millions to fix Adelaide’s poorest grandstand
• 400 signatures and counting . . .

GOODWOOD Oval’s ageing grandstand – dubbed “one of the poorest in Adelaide” – is set to be replaced with a new clubhouse after the State Government committed $2.5 million to an upgrade.

Premier Jay Weatherill today announced funding for a major revamp of the home of Goodwood Saints and Goodwood Cricket Club.

The money will pay for work to replace the Millswood oval’s 1960s-built grandstand with a new clubroom, including female changerooms, function area, toilets and gym.

The Eastern Courier Messenger understands the project could include either a one or two-storey building – and cost up to $3.6 million – depending on final designs and funding from Unley Council.

“These clubs are such an important focal point for the community and around the inner south,” Mr Weatherill said.

“These facilities are ageing and we’ve listened to the community’s calls for an upgrade.”

The announcement is a major win for the football and cricket clubs, which this year labelled the Fairfax Ave grandstand “one of the poorest in Adelaide” and not “socially acceptable” for its growing number of female and junior players.

Those comments prompted Labor’s candidate for Badcoe, Jayne Stinson, to launch a petition calling for a new clubhouse – which attracted almost 900 signatures.

Goodwood Cricket Club life member Warwick Potts was thrilled the oval’s “embarrassing” grandstand would be rebuilt.

“I have been involved here for 25 years and nothing has really happened in that time,” Mr Potts told the Eastern Courier Messenger.

“To get a new building will be amazing for both of these clubs, which are enormous in their own right.”

Goodwood Saints president Craig Scott said the upgrade would be a win for his club and the wider community.

“It is not just us, because so many clubs play here, and when they come here now they will think ‘this is great’,” Mr Scott said.

The football and cricket clubs – which have almost 700 players between them – are expected to contribute about $30,000 to the upgrade.

Ms Stinson said the clubs would soon start work with Unley Council, which owns the oval, and the Office of Recreation and Sport to finalise designs before lodging plans.