Work is gathering momentum on an $890,000 redevelopment of sporting facilities at Nuriootpa’s sports precinct.
The Council project includes construction of four new and upgraded change rooms to meet unisex standards for home and away teams, a medical room, strapping and physiotherapy facilities, plus meeting space and new public toilets.
With two football ovals, Nuriootpa Centennial Park is a key regional-level recreation facility. However Director Corporate and Community Services Jo Thomas says the standard of facilities has not kept pace with the growth of participation and demand for local sport.
She says unisex facilities were a major catalyst for the upgrade, which will be sited adjacent the main carpark.
“At the moment female players are often not accessing the change rooms due to the poor condition of facilities and location of female toilets outside of the main building,” Ms Thomas said.
“The new change rooms and toilets will be fully accessible and appropriate for both men and women. This demonstrates we are serious about supporting increased participation in women’s sport as well as catering for sporting growth across the board, including cricket, soccer and netball.
“The change rooms have operable walls, making them extremely flexible for various uses at different times by the sporting codes.”
With capacity for more players to change throughout the day, increased scheduling opportunities on the second oval are also expected.
Ms Thomas says development approval will pave the way for construction to start as soon as possible.
“While we know local sports are taking an unscheduled break, we look forward to the time when players can get back on the field with the benefit of contemporary new change rooms,” she said.
“This also reinforces our reputation as a sports event destination in line with The Big Project aim of delivering high quality sports facilities at multiple venues across the Barossa region.”
The project is jointly funded by Council ($410,000), the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball Facility Program Round 1 ($350,000) and local Nuriootpa club commitments ($130,000).
It builds on Council’s strong relationship with SACA and SANFL that has seen the WBBL come to Centennial Park in recent months and the construction of new cricket nets at the venue.
