Old Checkside Tavern to get $4 million upgrade and new name as housing takes over Football Park
The Checkside Tavern – once the go-to place for a pint before or after a game at Footy Park – will be renamed and revamped inside and out.
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A popular watering hole for footy fans who used to flock to Football Park will be given a $4 million facelift as part of the former ground’s transformation.
The Checkside Tavern at West Lakes will be progressively gutted and refurbished inside, while the building’s rundown exterior will be given a revamp.
The SANFL-owned venue will also change its name to the Mosaic Hotel, abandoning its former identity – named for the checkside kick, which curves the ball away from the body.
It is designed to attract new customers from the growing WEST development adjacent to the pub, following the sale of Football Park for housing.
The new facade will include an outdoor dining balcony facing Turner Drive.
Upgrades inside will include a new bistro and private dining rooms – and the disused upstairs Magarey function room will be turned into office space that will be available for lease.
SANFL commercial operations general manager Neal Matotek said the redevelopment of the former football ground had led to “significant growth and transformation” of West Lakes.
“There is a significantly heightened demand for a modern, multi-use venue that is fitting of the diverse community that now makes up West Lakes and the surrounding suburbs,” Mr Matotek said.
“This is also a fantastic commercial opportunity for SANFL as we continue to look at ways to expand and diversify our revenue streams, which is money that ultimately gets invested back into the game at all levels.”
The upgrades are expected to be complete by the end of August.
Football Park has made way for the construction of a 100-bed Uniting SA aged care home, a library, childcare centre, cafe and shops.
The project is part of the wider billion-dollar WEST development, which will include 1300 homes once complete.