16 Dec 2021

$8.2 million project on track | The Times, Victor Harbor

Taylor Harvey 

WORKS are progressing at the $8.2 million Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct, with stage one of the project nearing completion.

The redevelopment of the facility has received another significant boost, with Alexandrina Council securing $5 million from the Federal Government's Community Development Grants Programme.

Consultation on the next stages of the Master Plan will begin early next year, while the project expected to be completed by late-2023. The new multipurpose building is due to open in February 2022.

New clubrooms with two sets of changing areas will be constructed, while a multipurpose social room, canteen and kitchen, office and administration areas are among the many exciting additions.

Alexandrina Council mayor Keith Parkes said the facility will meet the needs of over 900 registered sporting club members across seven clubs who use the site.

"The project marks the start of works under our Goolwa Oval recreation Precinct Master Plan, a coordinated and strategic approach to the future redevelopment of the precinct centred on the community's needs now and in the future," Mr Parkes said.

"It is fantastic news for the hundreds of frequent visitors, as well as those in our community yet to use the site, as this project is all about maximising the opportunities for locals to enjoy well-planned and high-quality sports and recreation infrastructure."

Sport is the heartbeat of countless country towns, and with many regional facilities starting to show their age, providing communities with modern infrastructure will likely encourage greater participation.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the face-lift will encourage a wider range of people, including youth, seniors and people with a disability, to get involved with local clubs.

With shovels already in the ground, the Goolwa community will wait with anticipation as the facility starts to take shape - the project is expected to be completed by December 2022.

Senator for South Australia Andrew McLachlan said the facilities will deliver plenty of benefits for the many sporting clubs that will use the precinct.

"The project is also delivering the new sporting precinct, which will include upgraded and additional netball and tennis courts, new cricket training nets and storage areas, new oval and court lighting, and upgrades to open-space areas," Senator McLachlan said.

"This is an incredible selection of facilities, and I can't wait to see them completed and then open for the community to make use of."

Alexandrina Council contributed $2.4 million to the project, while the SA Government provided $800,000.