Athletics SA fears plans for the SASI headquarters at Mile End will be to the detriment of local athletics athletes

Athletics SA has raised concerns over further plans announced for the new $49m SASI headquarters, saying introducing other sports could jeopardise the precinct’s ability to host national events.

An artist impression of the proposed South Australian Sports Institute headquarters.

Athletics SA fears its ability to host national events will be jeopardised if the Mile End precinct also becomes the home of beach volleyball and sports aerodynamics.

The peak athletics body says the development application for the new $49.5m South Australian Sports Institute headquarters has unearthed further plans for the site.

The 537-page document – out for public consultation until December 13 – mentioned Cox Architecture was developing a master plan for the northern end of the sports precinct.

It would include a national centre for sports aerodynamics – previously earmarked adjacent to the Adelaide SuperDrome – beach volleyball courts and upgraded athletics warm-up area.

No other information was provided.

Athletics SA president Jane Russo said they were not against SASI’s new headquarters, but they had concerns other growth on the site would be to the detriment of its athletes.

Proposed future works on northern section of the Mile End sports precinct, which were included in the SASI development application.

Ms Russo said SA had only just welcomed back national events and the northern end of the precinct was integral to athletes being able to warm-up and train, especially for throws/jumps.

National events include the Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships this weekend – its athletes will be the first to complete on a new synthetic track as part of a $6m upgrade to the grounds opened on Monday.

“In 2024, the Australian National Track and Field competition will also be returning to SA for the first time since 1991,” Ms Russo said.

“We’re doing our best to get events here in SA, bringing people here and opening the sport up for people to come and watch, so we want more consideration on how the master plan footprint looks and its impact, without limiting our ability for future growth and events.”

Ms Russo notified members of the developments in a newsletter last week and said the board had begun discussions with the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing on its concerns.

Artist impression of the proposed South Australian Sports Institute headquarters.

Athletics SA fears its ability to host national events will be jeopardised if the Mile End precinct also becomes the home of beach volleyball and sports aerodynamics. Picture: Artist impression

An ORSR spokeswoman said the decision to relocate the SASI headquarters from Kidman Park to Mile End – made by the previous government – meant relocation of all facilities.

“The beach volleyball courts are a current feature of SASI and are required as part of the SASI development at Mile End which was announced in June 2021,” she said.

The spokeswoman said through a design process it was also determined mid year the new national centre for sports aerodynamics should also be co-located at Mile End.

She said the upgraded athletics stadium now met world athletics specifications and the master plan would still allow the stadium to host major competitions in the future.

“The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing will consult with Athletics SA and other sports in 2023 to help form a master plan which focuses on further enhancing the precinct,” she said.

Discussions regarding the sale of the Kidman Park site were “ongoing”.