Unley Oval’s multi-million dollar revamp scaled back – again: Sturt general manager Sue Dewing says it’s the sensible option
PLANS for a major – and long-awaited – revamp of this SANFL ground have been scaled back for a second time as the budget is reduced by almost $2 million. Here’s what it’ll mean.
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PLANS for a long-awaited revamp of Unley Oval have been scaled back for a second time, as Sturt Football Club abandons a “grandiose” vision for its home ground.
The Double Blues have scrapped a $4.6 million plan to redevelop the oval’s two grandstands to include a new function room, club offices and women’s and junior changerooms.
The club instead plans to spend about $2.8 million to build a new women’s changerooms under the Harry J McKay Stand and a kiosk.
Sturt general manager Sue Dewing said the new plan was “the most sensible option” to enable the club to meet its short-term goal of fielding a team in the SANFL Women’s competition.
“We feel this is the most sensible way forward given the funds available and the club’s priorities, which is to have a facility for women’s football,” Mrs Dewing said.
“This is the logical next step for us.”
Mrs Dewing said the club hoped to secure about $500,000 in State Government and AFL grants to deliver the project next year — in time for the start of SANFL Women’s competition in early 2019.
She said the Double Blues — which have allocated $500,000 to the plan — and Unley Council would continue to lobby both major parties for funding commitments ahead of next year’s state election, stressing the clubrooms upgrade would not preclude a wider revamp of the oval in the future.
“But we are happy where we are, we have managed to get by at this point,” Mrs Dewing said.
The Double Blues announced plans in 2015 for an $8.25 million upgrade of Unley Oval — including a VIP bar and boardroom — but those plans were last year scrapped in favour of a “responsible” $4.6 million option.
Unley Council last week endorsed the new design, as well as its $1.8 million contribution to the project.
Cr Don Palmer said while the new plan was “far from the grandiose scheme” the Double Blues had envisioned, it would cater for the club’s needs.
“This common sense plan … (will) rectify years — let me say decades — of neglect on our part and focus on ensuring our facilities meet the suggested criteria from the AFL,” Cr Palmer told the meeting.