Burnside Council will help pay for Kensington Gardens Reserve clubrooms upgrade

The first major upgrade of Kensington Cricket Club’s home in more than 50 years could become reality after Burnside Council agreed to chip in a large chunk of the expense.

Architectural render of the planned rebuild of the Kensington Cricket Club and Burnside Rugby Club rooms. Picture: Supplied

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A major upgrade of Kensington Gardens Reserve is a step closer to reality after Burnside Council agreed to tip $2 million into the project.

It means Burnside Rugby Club and the Kensington District Cricket Club – one of the most prestigious and historic of its type in Adelaide – can now seek state and federal funding for the project.

Costings, based on preliminary designs by Cox Architects, have found it could cost up to $8 million to rebuild the clubs’ shared clubrooms.

A submission to the council from the clubs acknowledged that many other clubs have built new clubrooms for much less money.

Kensington Cricket Club stars Jake Brown and Elliot Opie at the Browns’ home. Picture: Tom Huntley

Burnside Council has agreed to contribute 25 per cent of the total cost of the final project, up to a maximum of $2 million.

The clubs will now seek 33 per cent funding from the State Government, 40 per cent funding from the Federal Government and a small contribution from Cricket Australia.

The existing clubrooms were built in 1964 and have had few upgrades since.

Cr Henry Davis said it was positive to see movement on the project after six years of planning.

“The new facility will allow the club to be more inclusive in terms of growing women’s and junior’s teams and it will be an excellent community facility,” Cr Davis said.

“There’s already been significant community interest from groups such as Strength for Life, who think it would be a great benefit for community use.”

Kensington CC spokesman Peter McCusker said he was “very pleased” with the way the council had dealt with the project and welcomed their support.

“We would do it yesterday if we could but the realistic timeline we’re looking at is 18 months to two years to get the community consultation and tenders out,” Mr McCusker said.

“The young boys and girls are going to be the overwhelming beneficiaries of this.”

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Originally published as Burnside Council will help pay for Kensington Gardens Reserve clubrooms upgrade