Council agrees to enable Pelligra to start $20m stadium development
A $1 per year lease will see the land around the 36ers stadium transferred into the hands of an interstate developer paving the way for a $20 million revamp.
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An ageing 36ers stadium is set to be rejuvenated following a council decision to sell part of the land around it and lease the rest to an interstate development tycoon.
The potential $20 million investment was first aired late last year when developer Pelligra made an unsolicited bid to the council and then put forth plans in conjunction with the Charles Sturt Council.
The proposition was realised when the council on Monday voted to sell 5730 square metres, about 10 per cent, of Toogood Reserve for $30,000 and lease 90 per cent to the group that bought the stadium in 2021.
The developer would also pick up a $60,000 maintenance bill for the park.
The lease would see Pelligra become tenants of the reserve, at Findon, for $1 each year for the next 21 years, with the possibility the lease could be picked up for a further 21 years.
A $1 per year lease is referred to as a “peppercorn lease” and is typically reserved for not-for-profit groups.
Pelligra South Australia general manager Steve Wren told The Messenger the extensive redevelopment was scheduled to begin in the next two months.
“We’ve been working very closely with Charles Sturt and we’re really, really pleased and excited it all went well and the public consultation didn’t bring up any negatives,” he said.
“We’ll basically turn the arena area from three to 22 courts and it will be able to engage with a much larger section of the sporting community.”
Mr Wren confirmed parking would be free at the stadium for all events.
Alongside the stadium revamp, Pelligra had committed to building a three-on-three basketball court superdome and show court, eight netball courts and four volleyball courts.
The netball courts will be home to western suburbs club Garville.
A community playground was also added to the original proposal.
Council chief executive Paul Sutton said the agreement to lease and sell the land to Pelligra would have ramifications on the confidence of interstate companies investing in South Australia.
“It’s rare to find a private entity that is willing to invest in South Australia and what is community infrastructure,” he said.
“We’re not used to it, to be blunt.
“If we (had have) reneged on it at (the council vote) point the long-term implications are less confidence in councils working together with the private sector.”
Mr Sutton said the development could couple with the $30m Lightsview stadium and the state’s iconic Wayville courts to “position SA as a place where national underage competitions can be played”.
Mr Wren hinted the 36ers stadium development was unlikely to be Pelligra group’s final foray into South Australian sports.
Multi-millionaire property tycoon and Pelligra chairman Ross Pelligrabought the Adelaide Giants baseball team in August last year and announced plans to build a stadium for his new team.
More recently, Mr Wren was instilled as the company’s sports and entertainment managing director and began building the titular division.
He said Pelligra was in the process of buying “a couple of other teams” and indicated the company was working with the Marion and Playford councils about other sporting facilities.
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