Upgraded change rooms, canteen proposed in major redevelopment of Lindblom Reserve

An Adelaide clubroom will be demolished and rebuilt under AFL standards in a massive redevelopment pitched at starting a women’s side next year.

A brand-new building containing change rooms, a canteen and coaches rooms would be built at Lindblom Reserve under a proposal. Picture: Salisbury council

The Pooraka football and cricket clubroom would undergo a huge expansion and revamp in a plan for AFL regulation change rooms to boost numbers, especially from female players.

The proposal for Lindblom Reserve would demolish the reserve’s existing facilities for a new building comprised of change rooms, canteen, medical and coaches’ rooms, and a storage shed.

Stage one of the master plan would redevelop the reserve’s clubrooms (1a). Picture: Salisbury council

The reserve’s current facilities. Picture: Salisbury council

The proposal is stage one of a three-stage master plan over the next ten years at the reserve, which would eventually include a new play space, additional open spaces and carparking, and a new “fitness loop”.

Pooraka Football Club, which use the facilities every day of the week aside from Mondays, has endured a 41 per cent drop in participation since 2018 but hopes that number would increase by more than 20 per cent over the next five years.

President Keith Whales said the upgrade would assist with men’s recruiting to help climb back up the Adelaide Footy League divisions, as well the club’s aim of announcing a women’s team by 2026.

“Sometimes you need a little bit more than dollars in the pocket to encourage people to come along,” Mr Whales said.

“The plan is in 2026 we’ll have a women’s side and start the ball rolling – the change rooms make a huge difference to that. The change rooms of 20-30 years ago are not the same as what’s needed for today’s game with men and women.

“We’re also very excited about our club’s new board and how that progresses and gets things together. So yeah, club wise, there’s a lot to look forward to.”

The new change rooms would “enable gender and age separation for existing women’s and youth teams,” the plans say.

“The master plan seeks to expand upon the existing use of Lindblom Reserve as a sporting destination for AFL, cricket, soccer and netball,” it says.

“The facilities on the site are ageing and are no longer fit for purpose due to changing needs and demographics.

“Utilising the findings from the site analysis and the initial feedback from key stakeholders, the consultant team formulated two spatial plan options for Lindblom Reserve. The focus of these spatial plans was to improve the facilities for the respective sporting clubs while improving the overall amenity of the open space through greater activation and connection to surrounding areas.”

Pooraka Football Club president Keith Whales in 2020 with then A-grade captain Brad Batten (right). Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Pooraka Cricket Club, which uses the site on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, have had a 70 per cent participation increase since 2018 and expect that to rise by a further 20 per cent over the next five years, “with an expected expansion into women's cricket”.

Key stakeholders Football SA and SACA both said the current facilities lacked female changes and “did not provide a safe and welcoming environment for girls and women to participate in sport”.

The plans are on public display until February 12 via the PlanSA website.

Originally published as Upgraded change rooms, canteen proposed in major redevelopment of Lindblom Reserve