Port Noarlunga Sports Ground in line for $3.1 million upgrade
The home of Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald’s old footy club is in line for a $3 million upgrade after the radio star made an impassioned plea to local councillors.
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Radio star Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald has helped campaign for a $3.1 million redevelopment of the Port Noarlunga Sports Ground – the home of his childhood footy club.
The NOVA breakfast host, based in Sydney, wrote to Onkaparinga Council’s elected members, to throw his support behind calls for a redevelopment of the Britain Drive complex.
Fitzgerald and his family have a long and proud history with the Port Noarlunga Football Club, which is based at the ground.
“Being a very proud southern boy I just wanted to make contact and show my support for funding towards the Port Noarlunga Footy Club,” Fitzgerald said in his email.
“I have watched our sporting organisation encounter ups and downs over the years and with those memories it is evident that our facilities need a much needed upgrade.”
The football club has been calling for an upgrade of the ground since 2018.
At its last meeting, Onkaparinga approved $1.55 million towards the first stage of an upgrade, subject to community feedback and final approval from the council.
The proposed redevelopment would be undertaken in two stages and includes the demolition of the existing changerooms and clubrooms.
A new clubhouse would be built, with four unisex changerooms, four umpire changerooms, kitchen, kiosk, social area, spectator deck, medical room and offices.
Fitzgerald grew up in Adelaide’s south, and spent much of his childhood at the Port Noarlunga Football Club.
He started in the under-13s, and in 1993 was part of the club’s under-17s premiership side.
Fours years later, he was part of the A-grade team that won the flag.
“Port Noarlunga is a very special place for me, it’s where I grew up and it’s where my ashes will be spread (hopefully not for a while!),” Fitzgerald said in his email.
He said he was proud of his old club, particularly its growth in recent years of young girls wanting to take up footy.
“This place will forever hold a piece of my heart,” he said.
Port Noarlunga Community Sports Complex Board chairman Phil Wood said having the council commit funding overcame a massive hurdle for the project.
“This has been a five year process for us so to finally get it over the line and get part of it approved makes us very happy,” Mr Wood said.
“It will be fantastic, the club is in the middle of a very high demographic growth area and we’re already struggling to cope with the growth and the size of the club so this will help us cope with that a hell of a lot better.”
Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the redevelopment would service the whole community.
“The Port Noarlunga Sports Ground is used by local football, cricket, netball, tennis and gridiron clubs; community groups such as surf clubs and fitness clubs; and for music and social events such as the Port Noarlunga Blues Festival,” Ms Thompson said.
“Playing sport and staying active can help people stay healthy and be better connected to their community, so we’re thrilled to have a way forward for this redevelopment, particularly amid the huge increase in women’s participation.”