Richmond Oval $20m redevelopment plans out for public consultation
Plans have been released of a $20m overhaul of Richmond Oval, which is set to “open up” the under-utilised space – but not everyone is happy about it.
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A mutli-million overhaul of Richmond Oval is on the cards but some community members are questioning why so much money is being funnelled in to the project.
Consultation on the concept plan for Richmond Oval began this week.
According to a West Torrens Council report, the intention behind the redevelopment of the facility is to “open up” the venue in a similar way to Unley Oval.
“Such a move will allow significantly greater public access to the facility – the expectation being that pedestrian access will be generally available on a 365/24/7 basis, other than when the complex is being used for competition sporting matches as a multipurpose venue,” the report says.
Plans for the redevelopment include adding tennis and netball courts, a 3-on-3 basketball court, a new playground and activity area in the northeastern corner, cricket nets plus storage, a changeroom and toilet facilities in the southeastern corner and a bike track and running track around the external perimeter of the oval.
Other plans for the facility include a multi-use oval with provision for cricket turf and soccer pitch in addition to the football oval, an access road with perimeter parking from Kingston Ave to Milner Rd, improved pedestrian and cycling access points at Deacon, Martin and Kinston avenues, upgraded terrace seating, improved overflow carparking and recreation and training area and improved football club change rooms, umpire rooms and match day coaches area.
In his president’s message to West Adelaide football club members and supporters this month, Murray Forbes said work on stage one of the project was expected to start at the end of the current football season.
“The mayor (Michael Coxon) informed us that the council was planning to invest $19.8m over ten years (subject to funding) in the Richmond Oval precinct at Hisense Stadium with a view to opening it up to the greater West Adelaide community,” he said.
“Mayor Coxon explained how the proposed investment would bring more people to Richmond Oval by offering many more recreational activities, thereby adding to and enhancing the vibrancy of the whole precinct.
“It is envisaged that this will create more opportunity for West Adelaide Football Club to engage with our local community.”
Peake Gardens Riverside Tennis Club vice president Malcolm House said it was “irresponsible” for council to spending that kind of money on Richmond Oval when other facilities in the area badly needed upgrading.
“We’re one of the biggest clubs in Adelaide with 26 teams, 14 courts and history going back to 1930,” he said.
“But we’re putting up with no wheelchair access, no change rooms and a coaches area out of an Atco hut.”
An open day is being held on Saturday May 22 for the community to ask questions and raise oncerns about the plan. It will run from 11am – 1pm at Premiership Park, Milner Rd, Richmond.
More details on the project can be found at yoursay.westtorrens.sa.gov.au/richmond-oval-master-plan.