Unley Oval, home of Sturt Football Club, to have new community hub under upgrade plans
A new community hub and a revamp of the Oatey Stand are part of the next stage to upgrade the home of the Double Blues – the second major upgrade in three years. See the new plans.
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The second stage of the Unley Oval redevelopment is nearing closer after plans for a facelift and a community hub were lodged with Unley Council.
Under the proposal, the back facade of the Oatey Stand, next to the Sturt Football Club’s Trimmer Terrace entrance, would be given a more modern look.
The first floor of the stand – which is currently seating – would also become a “multipurpose” community hub and event space.
The plans for the second phase of the upgrade have been released for public consultation and were costed at $3 million in 2019.
It follows completion of stage one of the project in March last year.
A letter from Green Light Planning to Unley Council said the community hub would be used for meetings, conferences, conventions and functions.
The space, which would take up to 250 people, would have full bar and kitchen service.
Offices, meeting rooms and a media deck would be built in the mezzanine level of the stand, which is named after Sturt legend and seven-time premiership coach Jack Oatey.
The community hub would be owned and managed by Unley Council, with Sturt given use of the space on game days and priority during the week.
Most Sturt functions are held at the organisation’s community club, BarZaar, on Unley Road.
Approval was given in September 2017 for a series of upgrades to both the McKay and Oatey stands.
The Double Blues have since revamped the player rooms, upgraded the junior football areas, renovated the umpire changerooms and provided unisex changerooms to allow for women’s football.
The Double Blues have since revamped the player rooms, upgraded the junior football areas, renovated the umpire changerooms and provided unisex changerooms to allow for women’s football.
The canteen has also been moved into a stand-alone building and disability access to and around the oval has been improved.
Those upgrades have brought the ground up to standard with the AFL’s guidelines for state leagues.
Unley Council has been contacted for comment.