Developments worth tens of millions of dollars spearhead efforts to stimulate growth in northern suburbs

BIG development is coming north of Adelaide, with a health precinct and a dual-use ice rink and concert venue approved in an effort to stimulate jobs and growth ahead of Holden’s closure.

A HEALTH precinct and a dual-use ice rink and concert venue at Elizabeth are set for approval, as developments worth tens of millions of dollars spearhead efforts to stimulate jobs and growth ahead of the Holden plant closure next year.

The $35 million Playford Arena development, which has been endorsed by Playford Council and is awaiting State Cabinet approval in January, is likely to be the first major project at the new Prince George Plaza, in the Elizabeth business district.

At a meeting on Tuesday night, Playford Council is also poised to approve an application to build a health practice at the same site. The plan, by GPaxis Munno Para medical centre owner Dr Jim Kosmas, is understood to be worth up to $20 million.

An artist’s impressions of the new Playford Arena.

Mayor Glenn Docherty said the council had been working hard to bring private investment and new jobs to the community, which he believed “shows real confidence in Elizabeth”.

“Playford Council would welcome a new multistorey development that would fit in with our Northern CBD (and) this is the first of many new exciting announcements to come,” he said, referring to the health centre plan.

The proposed exterior of the new Playford Arena development.

The council has also released artists’ impressions of Playford Arena, which will feature two Olympic-sized ice rinks, with a sliding floor that transforms the big rink into a concert hall. The council says it will announce a “big-ticket performer” for its launch.

“This is a vibrant, new entertainment and sporting facility. It will provide a place for families to have fun while also offering a world-class venue for major events and concerts,” Mr Docherty said.

It will take two years to build, creating about 100 construction and 70 full-time operations jobs.

The council is also negotiating to secure an Australia Ice Hockey League team to use the facility.

Site works at Prince George Plaza, at the corner of Philip Hwy and Main North Rd, have already begun. Work on the nearby $55 million Playford City Sports Precinct is already underway, with the first stage including a training centre for Adelaide United, a new tennis centre and a lawn bowls facility.

Further north, at Penfield, construction will start next year on a $5.7 million sports ground, featuring two large ovals, which will become the new base for three major sports clubs.

The Eyre Sports Park development at Penfield is due for completion in 2017.

The Eyre Sports Park development, a joint project between developer AV Jennings and Playford Council, will be built at the new housing development at the corner of Womma Rd and Stebonheath Rd, with construction set to start this month and finish in 2017. It will become the home for the Northern Wolves Soccer Club, the Rose and Crown Cricket Club and the rapidly growing Central Districts Rugby League Club, which is aiming to eventually enter a team in the NRL.

The facilities will also be available to RAAF Base Edinburgh personnel to use. That development will coincide with a $12 million shopping precinct, called Eyre Village, which will feature a Drakes Foodland and 10 other shops.

Mr Docherty was hopeful the two developments, combined with the Eyre housing estate, would boost job opportunities for locals.

About 180 retail and construction jobs will be created over the next year.

“Many of these jobs will be filled by local residents so it’s a fantastic incentive to live, work and play in Playford’s newest development,” Mr Docherty said.