CLP opposition promise $15m to proposed Alice Springs sporting precinct

The Opposition has pledged $15m to kick start a multi-sports precinct in Alice Springs “to rebuild the town’s reputation” should they win the NT election, in a move Labor’s says will put sports clubs “to the back of the que.” See the plans.

Alice Springs Sporting Precinct proposal

The CLP has pledged to “rebuild Alice Springs’ reputation” by delivering $15m to create a new multi-sports precinct.

The precinct will span more than 1500 sqm of unused land at the Centralian Middle School and include five new playing fields.

The CLP said there would also be a new grandstand, a children’s playground, new areas for dining and entertainment, as well as more off-street car parks.

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said the precinct would deliver a suite of sporting infrastructure the town could enjoy for generations to come.

“The CLP will rebuild Alice Springs’ reputation after Labor took a wrecking ball to the town when they weakened our laws and ensure there are no consequences for youth offenders,” she said.

“Getting kids into sport is one of the best ways to keep them from turning to a life of crime.

Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne and Namatjira MLA Bill Yan at Jim McConville Oval, Gillen, Alice Springs, June 28, 2024.

“Our new multi-sports sports precinct will help restore liveability for families, keeping them in Alice Springs while attracting new families and essential workers to the town.

“We are determined to make Alice Springs once again a great place to live, work and invest.”

The new Multi-Sports Precinct will run from Rosenbaum St along the length of Memorial Ave encompassing Jim McConville oval.

The Centralian Middle School section will have four square fields for training and games with a fifth square field suitable to host first grade competition.

The fields will host soccer, rugby union and rugby league with the smaller fields expected to be utilised by junior grades.

The Precinct will see the existing under-utilised Bus Depot become multipurpose, acting as a depot during peak times on weekdays, and a car park at other times.

CLP youth spokesman Joshua Burgoyne said the precinct was much needed after “a logistical nightmare” had been created in the handling of the National Aboriginal Art Gallery.

“After Labor shut down the 90 year old home of rugby league and rugby union, Anzac Oval, with their art gallery mess, our sporting codes have been left scrambling,” he said.

“We now have three different sporting codes sharing Jim McConville Ov+al, which doesn’t even have lights. Sports have had to change their entire seasons around to fit in.”

It comes after the CLP pledged $1m to install lights at Norbuilt Oval, which Labor swiftly matched.

Minister for Sport Kate Worden said the CLP’s plan would “set back” current development plans for a new rugby ground at Kilgariff.

“We’re already delivering this project with $27 million in Budget 24 to begin the head works for the Kilgariff sporting facility,” she said.

“Under a re-elected Lawler Labor Government, the new home for rugby league and union will be built at Kilgariff along with the head works to create a new housing development.”