Football Federation of SA works with Tea Tree Gully Council to upgrade Richardson Reserve

WORK is well underway on the $6.5 million transformation of Richardson Reserve into a first-class soccer facility for Adelaide’s northeast.

Modbury Vista Soccer Club members at Richardson Reserve, which is being upgraded at the cost of $6.5 million. Picture: Sam Wundke/AAP

WORK is well underway on the $6.5 million transformation of Richardson Reserve into a contemporary home for Modbury Vista Soccer Club.

Earthwork machines have spent the past few weeks levelling the gently sloping Wynn Vale reserve ahead of laying the largest piece of artificial turf in the state.

Three all-weather pitches will be marked out on the turf — two facing east-west and another facing north-south.

The third pitch will be the same size as the one used by Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium for A-League games.

Situated alongside two-storey clubrooms being built for Modbury Vista, the ground will be lit by eight towers with LED lighting.

Artificial turf specialist Green Play has been working closely with the Football Federation of SA installing artificial pitches across Adelaide using $20 million in grants provided by the former Labor state government.

FFSA chief executive Michael Carter said local government throughout Adelaide had provided $17.5 million to help install artificial pitches for nine amateur soccer clubs.

Mr Carter said the program was delivering first-class playing facilities

“The support of local government is the untold story,” he said.

“The $20 million provided by the State Government unlocked another $17.5 million from local government. It has just been fantastic.

“It’s providing a lot of opportunity for players of all ages to play on the best surfaces.”

Richardson Reserve Football Federation of SA chief executive Michael Carter and Green Play managing director Anthony Saba at Richardson Reserve. Picture: COLIN JAMES

Pitches had been installed for club use at West Beach, Angle Park, Modbury, Adelaide City, Seaford, South Adelaide and Novar Gardens while works were well advanced at Clarence Gardens and Klemzig.

Pitches at Marion and Mt Barker were at the planning stage, along with the creation of a new football centre at the State Sports Park at Gepps Cross.

Mr Carter said the Richardson Reserve upgrade was set to boost soccer across the northeast.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with Tea Tree Gully Council, which agreed to provide funding after voting against selling Richardson Reserve to German supermarket giant Kaufland for $14.3 million before last November’s council elections.

Mr Carter said the Richardson Reserve pitches were due to be finished by May, with demolition of the ageing Modbury Vista clubrooms scheduled to start within weeks.

Green Play managing director Anthony Saba said the project to install artificial pitches would revolutionise playing surfaces for soccer across Adelaide.

His company had also put down 29 new netball courts for Adelaide City Council in the parklands and indoor training areas for the Adelaide Football Club and Port Adelaide Football Club.

“We’ve had a lot of support from local government and the State Government and we are now employing 25 people in South Australia,” he said.