Port Augusta Central Oval in push to host AFL games
Your favourite AFL and SANFL stars could be heading to Port Augusta as the council kicks off a push to attract world-class games to Central Oval.
Upper Spencer Gulf
Don't miss out on the headlines from Upper Spencer Gulf. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Port Augusta City Council will push to host AFL and SANFL games on the new Central Oval, once the $970,000 turf upgrade is complete.
Council chief executive John Banks said the upgrade would enable the council to push for AFL, AFLW and SANFL games to be hosted on the site.
Mr Banks says he hopes Port Augusta will follow in the footsteps of Port Pirie and Whyalla, who both received AFL pre season matches after completing upgrades to their ovals.
“The upgrade of the oval will enable higher level sporting events to be hosted including SANFL, AFL JLT games,” Mr Banks said.
“Port Augusta will also be in a position to attract the AFLW and Women’s Soccer league to showcase female sports in the region.”
It is expected that council will bid for an AFL JLT game once the upgrades to Central Oval are complete.
It comes as the council considers a proposal for a turf wicket at the oval.
Port Augusta Cricket Association has won a $35,000 SA Infrastructure fund grant towards a pitch.
The turf wicket, made from synthetic grass, would cost $70,000 and need council funding to go ahead.
It would mean cricket could be played throughout the summer at Central Oval.
At the last council meeting held on December 10, council requested a formal business plan be presented by PACA. The matter is expected to be raised again at the next council meeting on January 28.
Agronomist Daryl Sellar, who is working with the council, said sand has also begun being imported, in preparation for the laying of the new turf.
“Once completed, the redeveloped surface will provide the Port Augusta community with an asset that will be suitable for local, regional and national sport of all standards, as well as other non-sport community events,” Mr Sellar said.
The council has hired turf experts Living Turf, the same company responsible for the recent upgrade of Port Pirie’s Memorial Oval.
The oval upgrade is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2020 sporting season.