Campaign kicks off to fix Adelaide’s ’poorest’ grandstand
A CAMPAIGN to secure funding for a multi-million dollar rebuild of the city’s worst grandstand has kicked off.
A CAMPAIGN to secure funding for a multi-million dollar rebuild of Goodwood Oval’s ageing grandstand has kicked off.
More than 400 people have signed a petition calling for a new clubhouse at the Fairfax Ave ground.
Labor’s candidate for Badcoe, Jayne Stinson, is collecting the signatures in her first major move ahead of next year’s state election.
The campaign was launched after the oval’s football and cricket clubs last month described the grandstand as “one of the poorest in Adelaide”.
The clubs urged the council to dump plans for minor upgrades and focus on securing up to $4 million for a new two-storey stand.
Ms Stinson said the “outdated, cramped and cracking” grandstand and lack of female changerooms was a “huge disincentive” to prospective players.
She called on Unley Council and the State Government to commit money towards a “modern clubhouse”.
“It is plain to see that a new building is desperately needed,” Ms Stinson said.
“It’s a shame nothing has been done sooner – despite the clubs’ pleas to Unley Council.”
Ms Stinson said she had scheduled meetings with Sports Minister Leon Bignell and Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis to discuss funding for the project.
She also plans to front Unley Council to push the clubs’ case.
Goodwood Saints president Craig Scott appreciated Ms Stinson’s “extremely proactive” efforts to find money for the clubhouse revamp.
“We welcome her petition to push the poor state of our facilities as a project in urgent need of funding,” Mr Scott said.
Unley Deputy Mayor Don Palmer said the council would be keen to meet with the State Government as it explored all options for Goodwood Oval’s grandstand – including the prospect of a complete rebuild.
“We would welcome any conversations that would see the project supported and progressed,” Cr Palmer said.
The Liberal’s candidate for Badcoe, Unley Mayor Lachlan Clyne, said his party had been working with the clubs, the council and the community on the project for months.
“We applaud Jayne’s recent discovery of Goodwood Oval,” Mr Clyne said.