Roger Rasheed’s plan for sports and community hub at a Christie Downs reserve gets funding
A multimillion-dollar sports and recreation hub being spearheaded by the Roger Rasheed Sports Foundation has been approved for Adelaide’s south, with construction to start as early as next year.
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A tired reserve in Christie Downs will start to be transformed into a $5 million sports and community hub from as early as next year.
The first stage of the upgrade to Morton Road Reserve was approved last week, with Onkaparinga Council and the State Government each committing $1.5 million to the project.
The Roger Rasheed Sports Foundation – which aims to give children from disadvantaged communities access to a better life through sport and is behind the project – has given $100,000 towards the upgrade.
Its first stage will feature a skate park, basketball half-court, new toilets, picnic areas, a tennis and netball court and an adventure play area.
The second stage is expected to cost between $1.5 million and $2 million and will include more tennis and netball courts, outdoor exercise equipment, running trails and lighting.
Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said the upgrade would transform the reserve, which sits between Morton Rd and the Christie Downs railway station.
“Another key part of the hub vision is to use its facilities as a base for the Roger Rasheed Sports Foundation’s free sports coaching and mentoring programs for children from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Ms Thompson said.
“We will be working with Roger and his Foundation in the coming months to look at ways we can fund additional courts and other improvements to support community sport and everyday exercise.”
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Mr Rasheed – an international tennis coach – has been working with the council since 2017 to secure the reserve upgrade.
“I’ve seen first-hand the difference sport can make to young people’s lives now, and in future,” Mr Rasheed said.
“This is what my foundation is all about, giving kids access to a better life by giving them access to sport, and we’ve seen these programs have huge success in other parts of the state.”
Construction is expected to commence in early 2021.
The public is invited to give their feedback for the plan at onkaparingacity.com/yoursay