Holdfast Bay to prepare concept plan for Brighton Oval complex with three clubrooms

PLANS for a multi-million dollar upgrade at a sports oval in Adelaide’s west will go back to the drawing board as clubs argue for three, not one clubroom: Drawing up the new design will cost $16,000.

30/10/14 - Brighton Cricket Club president Paul Mackenzie and Brighton Football Club president Kym Steer are happy Brighton Oval sporting clubs are set for redevelopment. Photo Tom Huntley

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HOLDFAST Bay Council has agreed to prepare designs for an overhaul of the Brighton Oval sports complex with three separate clubrooms.

The council last week voted to spend $16,000 on new designs for the oval, and the complex’s sports clubs will contribute $4000.

The latest plan involves building a new building for the Brighton Rugby Union Football Club on Brighton Rd and one for the cricket and football clubs west of their oval. The lacrosse club would stay where it is on Highet Ave.

The previous 2011 proposal would have based the complex’s rugby, cricket, football, lacrosse and dog owners’ clubs in one building between the rugby and football fields.

Brighton Football Club president Kym Steer said it was a “relief” that the clubs and council had agreed on the project and work could start on the new plan.

“We’re absolutely stoked from my perspective,” Mr Steer said.

“It’s a hard road when you’re bringing all these communities together.

“For the first time since our meeting last October, it’s the first time everyone’s on the same page with the same vision.”

The latest plan for Brighton Oval presented to last week’s council meeting.

The council hopes to secure government funding for the $13.5 million project, and chief executive Justin Lynch told last week’s meeting the Federal Government preferred backing shared buildings.

However Mayor Stephen Patterson said the council wanted to “get the plan right” – not mould it around what would tick Commonwealth funding boxes.

Cr Mikki Bouchee said with three buildings, the council ran the risk certain sports would outgrow their clubrooms.

However the council still decided to back the new vision, receiving applause from the public gallery.

The new plan will be produced by the end of June.

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