Major redevelopment to begin as Barossa locked in for Gather Round
It’s finally official – the Barossa Valley is set to host a Gather Round match in 2025 with a $40 million redevelopment announced for a community facility. See the concept photos.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Barossa Valley is set to host an AFL match as part of next year’s Gather Round with the announcement of a $40 million redevelopment of a community facility.
With Gather Round locked into SA until 2026, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas had been vocal in his pursuit of a game in the world-famous wine region with an announcement on Monday morning confirming the vision would become a reality.
The State Government and the Barossa Council will contribute $20 million each to a full-scale redevelopment of Lyndoch Recreation Park, with support from Barossa District Football and Netball Club, to bring it up to AFL standard.
However, Aussie rules footy will not be the sole purpose of the Barossa Park Project, with the precinct set to be upgraded to be fit for multiple sports at professional levels and open up new opportunities for festivals and other events in the region.
A new 300-seat event space and clubrooms with commercial kitchen, multi-sport change facilities and gym will be built while a “mini Adelaide Oval replica bar” and service area will support events.
The facility is also set for new netball courts, a second oval, an athletics track, shelters, a new playground and family garden and more carparking.
Rachel Feuerherdt, manager of Sunrise Bakery & Cafe, said being able to host an AFL match in the region would be a “huge boost” to the Barossa Valley.
“It’s going to be massive. It can only be a positive thing,” the 46-year-old said.
“Having the new facility here will open up doors for people that might not have the opportunity to get to the city or other states.
“It (Gather Round) is only going to get better and bigger. It’s going to be huge for the region.”
Lyndoch Little Athletics president Morgan Heggie said the upgrade would allow the club to grow.
Lyndoch Little Athletics president Morgan Heggie told The Advertiser the upgrade would allow the club to grow with more space to develop more fit-for-purpose facilities for an athletics club.
He said the current oval was not a flat surface and did not make for a good 400m running track.
“To have a dedicated running track on what they are calling the recreational green will be good for us,” he said.
Mr Heggie said the current oval was not a flat surface and did not make for a good 400m running track and the opportunity to have more space is a big win for the club.
“Currently, we share a shed on the site with the Lyndoch Cricket Club but it is hoped we can get storage facilities and the space to grow into the future,” he said.
“And Little Athletics is a grassroots sport and ties in well with sports like football,” he said.
With about 60 participants this season, the club has visions to grow beyond 100 members within the next two years.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was “thrilled” the Barossa would host a Gather Round match and said the investment into a new facility would benefit the whole community.
“With the Barossa acknowledged as one of the five most-recognised wine regions in the world, the wine and food experience as well as proximity to the CBD the region was a logical choice to be part of the 2025 AFL Gather Round,” he said.
“However, it is crucial this investment sees community dividends for decades to come and I look forward to partnering with the Barossa Council to deliver this competition level multi-use precinct that will benefit both the local sporting community and, also, tourism and visitation outcomes for the Barossa region.”
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said taking the national game to the Barossa builds on the legacy of Gather Round.
“One of the greatest things about Gather Round is the community spirit it invokes – illustrated this weekend with fantastic sold-out matches at boutique venues like Norwood and the Adelaide Hills,” he said.
“Nothing speaks to South Australia’s charm quite like their wine regions, so to have the opportunity to showcase the stunning Barossa in 2025 for the thousands of fans who attend Gather Round is going to be something special.”
Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said the investment would benefit the region well beyond sport, unlocking opportunities for arts, culture and festivals on a local and national scale.
“This exciting joint partnership by the State government and council will deliver a landmark precinct less than an hour from Adelaide’s CBD, bringing more visitors and tourism dollars into our regional and State economy as a major events destination,” he said.
“And of course grassroots communities are the big winners through high-quality infrastructure and open space to support participation in community life.”
The facility will continued to be used year-round by local clubs including by the Barossa District Football and Netball Club, Lyndoch Cricket Club, Lyndoch Tennis Club, Lyndoch Bowling Club, Little Athletics Lyndoch and Districts, and the Barossa Valley Pigeon Racing Club.
More Coverage
Read related topics:Gather Round
Join the conversation
The 175 charities that just got $20K each
Commonwealth Bank has announced that its staff foundation has raised $3.5 million in 2024 to donate to 175 charitable organisations around Australia. CONTENT PARTNERSHIP
Read more
Race to Melbourne: SA baby’s journey for heart surgery
First-time parents Brooke Guildford and Morgan Ellery rushed their five-week-old vomiting baby girl to hospital, only to receive a life-altering diagnosis.
Read more