Golden Grove Football Club and cricket club set to benefit from $12m upgrade of Harpers Field

A rapidly-growing club in Adelaide’s northeast is set for a huge overhaul with a new $12m sporting and community complex given the green light. See the plans.

A new $12m sporting and community complex is set to be built at the base of a rapidly-growing club in Adelaide’s northeast.

The significant redevelopment of Harpers Field – home to the Golden Grove football and cricket clubs – will include a two-storey building with a community space on the ground floor and clubrooms on the upper level.

Tea Tree Gully elected members signed off on the plan at a meeting on Tuesday night, with the project to be funded by $6m contributions from both the council and State Government.

Golden Grove footballers, Caden, 11, Nevaeh, 14, Madi Koop, Jake, 12, Jordan Woodards, and Ethan, 10, at Harpers Field. The club’s home is set for a $12m upgrade. Picture: Matt Loxton

The clubroom plans include four inclusive changerooms, a bar, function area and a viewing platform.

On the ground floor, a community shed, cafe, physical activity spaces and a shared community courtyard will be constructed, along with a new car park.

The redevelopment will come as a welcome expansion for the rapidly growing Golden Grove Football Club, which has been located at Harpers Field since 2008.

The Kookaburras were founded in 1995 but now boast 39 junior and senior teams.

“It will bring our facilities up to what we need for the size of our club … with 39 teams and 800 to 900 members we’re trying to fit into a fairly small area at the moment,” club president Kate Grandey said.

The current building at Harpers Field. Picture: Matt Loxton

“In 25 years we’ve gone from half a dozen junior teams to what we have now.

“Golden Grove is a developing area and it’s only getting bigger and bigger.”

The club celebrated its 25th anniversary last year by claiming A and B grade premierships in division three of the Adelaide Footy League.

It also has a developing women’s program, with the upgrade set to include female friendly changerooms.

Tea Tree Gully Deputy Mayor Lucas Jones told The Messenger the project would encourage more girls to join a team in their local area.

“I know as a council we really do enjoy getting behind and investing in grassroots sports clubs and this is another example,” Cr Jones said.

Plans for the ground floor level of the new building at Harpers Field, which will include spaces for the area's community groups to use. Picture: Tea Tree Gully Council

Plans for clubrooms and changerooms on the upper level of the new building at Harpers Field. Picture: Tea Tree Gully Council

At Tuesday night’s meeting, Cr Brett Rankine said the football club continued to grow “exponentially” but its facilities had not kept pace.

“That facility couldn’t hold a council meeting,” Cr Rankine said.

“We’re going to build a facility for all of the community. It’s more than just a sports club, it’s a place where everyone can gather.”

Cr Jess Lintvelt said it was a “brilliant” proposal which deserved unanimous support.

“$6m is nothing to sneeze at, but it will be worthwhile in the long run,” Cr Lintvelt said.

The project is expected to be completed in the first half of next year.

A prudential report, to control financial risks, will need to be commissioned and approved by Tea Tree Gully elected members before construction can begin.