Major upgrades revealed for two SA sporting venues – Priceline Stadium and Thebarton Oval – as part of $214m sports fund
Netball and footy are the big winners from two major sporting infrastructure projects announced on Sunday.
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Both South Australia’s home of netball at Mile End and Thebarton Oval will be upgraded with money from the new $214m sporting infrastructure fund.
On Sunday, Premier Steven Marshall announced fresh funding of $12m for the stage two upgrade of SA’s home of netball at Mile End Priceline Stadium; $5m towards an $18 million facelift for Thebarton Oval; and a further $5m towards the $19 million upgrade to the State Centre of Football.
He said the State Government aimed to “lead South Australia into a sporting golden era”.
“Our investment is a game-changer for sport at all levels and will cement our state as one of the leading sporting cities in the nation,” Mr Marshall said.
“These projects will create hundreds of jobs during construction, support local businesses and significantly boost our economy.:
The Netball SA Priceline Stadium redevelopment will include:
MODERN entry facilities with turnstiles and open foyer.
UPDATED cafe/eatery and bar facilities for patrons.
TECHNOLOGY upgrades including new scoreboards and replay screens.
INCREASED stadium capacity.
BETTER viewing spaces and connection between the indoor and outdoor courts.
A $214m slush fund was announced in the State Budget but with specific projects being progressively announced as they come online.
The Thebarton Oval redevelopment will be funded in conjunction with City of West Torrens and the Morrison Government and include:
FAMILY-FRIENDLY player change rooms, gymnasium, rehabilitation, coaching and education rooms.
ADMINISTRATION offices and improvements to spectator amenities.
BROADCAST works to provide an AFLW compliant venue and establish Thebarton Oval as the second home of Football in SA.
The State Budget included record funding for sport infrastructure, with other projects so far announced including:
■ $44m for stage two of the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre redevelopment.
■ $45m for upgrades to Hindmarsh Stadium.
■ $25m for an expanded Grassroots Grants Program.
■ $10m for the Regional and Districts Facilities Program.
The announcement coincides with the release of the State Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Plan, for infrastructure upgrades.
The 20-year plan has identified 230 sports infrastructure upgrade projects which could then be used to attract major events.
Sport Minister Corey Wingard the plan would also help the state bounce back from the crippling financial impacts of COVID-19.
“The comprehensive work that went into the plan started long before we were thrown into a global health crisis but delivering on key projects outlined within it will help us navigate out of the troubling times we find ourselves in,” he said.
“The Marshall Government spent $10m on the roof at Memorial Drive and within a year it was complete and the venue was hosting a world class tennis event, the Adelaide International – and we’ve now secured that event for a decade.”
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