Modbury Vista Soccer Club may move as supermarket giant Kaufland eyes off Wynn Vale reserve

AN Adelaide soccer club could be moved from its base, with the local council fielding a multimillion-dollar bid from German supermarket giant Kaufland for land in the city’s north — but probably wouldn’t mind.

Artist’s impression of the Kaufland supermarket off Anzac Hwy, Forestville.

• Residents silenced on Kaufland’s two-storey Anzac Hwy supermarket
• Kaufland lodges plans to subdivide old Anzac Hwy Le Cornu site
• German supermarket Kaufland planning $23.6 million Prospect store
• Modbury Jets and Vista to share $1m pitch
• Vista girls change behind a curtain

MODBURY Vista Soccer Club could be moved from its Wynn Vale base following reports Tea Tree Gully Council has fielded a multimillion-dollar bid for land at Richardson Reserve from European supermarket giant Kaufland.

The NorthEastern Weekly understands German retailer Kaufland has made the offer.

On its website, Kaufland says it has an “ambitious Australian investment and development program … (and is) always looking to purchase suitable and appropriate sites”.

It has more than 1230 stores across seven European countries and is conducting a feasibility study aimed at the Australian market.

Modbury Vista chairman Detlef Georg said the state of the pitch at Richardson Reserve had been an issue for years and members would be open to being relocated.

The NorthEastern Weekly reported in January the council had axed plans to build new female changerooms at the club following an independent engineer’s finding of “significant structural movement” at the building, which was constructed in 1990.

Inspections also revealed that leaking sewer pipes could be affecting the soil.

Mayor Kevin Knight said there were several issues with the club’s facilities but would not confirm that the council had received an offer from Kaufland.

“We’re looking for the best options for Modbury Vista for its long-term future,” he said.

“The pitches were unplayable last year.

Modbury Vista Soccer Club players Mackenzie Wegener and Zian Maguire-George at the club’s Wynn Vale club room, which has no proper female change rooms. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“We’ve been told the current building at Richardson Reserve is not worth investing in. The building needs to be demolished, the carparks aren’t big enough.

“We did identify a location where you could fit multiple soccer pitches and we are considering all options in regards to that location. They’ve got room for one and a half pitches at the moment.

“We have to spend $6m now so we have to work out where is the best place to do that.”

A spokesman for Kaufland told the NorthEastern Weekly to “check back with us in a few weeks time”.

“We are currently not in a position to comment or make any detailed statements about our projects in South Australia,” he said.

Football Federation SA chief executive officer Michael Carter said no “formal discussions” had occurred about a possible sale of land.

A Tea Tree Gully council spokeswoman said it had no comment to make.