Ambitious Richmond Oval development scaled back after council unable to secure $23 million in government funding

A council's grand vision for a $30 million sports facility upgrade has collapsed after it couldn’t secure government funding.

The $30m redevelopment of Richmond Oval is set to be scaled back. Picture: Simon Cross

A $30m redevelopment of Richmond Oval is set to be significantly scaled back – at least for now – after a local council was unable to secure government funding for the project.

Plans for the West Adelaide Football Club home ground and community space included a new grandstand, umpire and gym facilities, netball courts, a community plaza and expanded parking.

But West Torrens Council said, at this stage, it had been unable to secure the $23m in state or federal government funding to carry out the full redevelopment, estimated to exceed $30m.

“For the past few years, council has submitted multiple applications for state and federal grant programs to secure funding for the remaining elements of the master plan, however, to date, has not been successful in obtaining the funding needed,” a council spokesman said.

They said funding for the first stage of the redevelopment was secured through the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and commenced in 2022.

In November, council decided to pursue a “more achievable project scope” and use the already-approved $7m from its own budget to upgrade the B.K. Faehse Grandstand, which is in “poor condition”, and develop new changeroom facilities because current ones “no longer meet contemporary accessibility and inclusion standards, particularly for female athletes”.

West Torrens Council said, at this stage, it had been unable to secure the $23 million in state or federal government funding to carry out the full redevelopment. Picture: Simon Cross

The concept includes four interchangeable changerooms with umpire amenities, first aid and doctor’s rooms and team massage areas.

“Subject to available funds following completion of compliance works, the existing under-grandstand changerooms may also be refurbished to create an improved gym and warm-up area, public toilets, and coaches’ rooms,” council documents state.

“To maintain affordability, some elements of the original WAFC brief and AFL Category 4 guidelines will be scaled back or deferred.”

Staff said this approach to oval upgrades would allow it to pursue future expansion if external funding became available “in line with the long-term masterplan vision”.

Under the initial plan, council planned to acquire the West Adelaide-owned clubroom but under the revised plan the club said it understood there was currently no requirement for council to proceed with the purchase.

Last month, council decided to pursue a “more achievable project scope” and use the already-approved $7 million from its own budget to upgrade the B.K. Faehse Grandstand. Picture: SANFL David Mariuz

In a letter to council, president Alison Surjan said the club remained open to discussions on the matter “should the need arise sometime in the future”.

She said the club was in “full support” of council proceeding with works required to ensure the venue remained safe and compliant and saw the works as a “critical step” in pursuing all available avenues to attract further investment in the future.

West Adelaide Football Club did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, council has applied for $750,000 through the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing for the development of the changerooms.

Council is planning to start the works next year.