The Project
The Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct project set out to create a modern, accessible, and adaptable sporting and community precinct in the heart of Goolwa. Built over two stages, the Precinct now has facilities that meet modern standards for change rooms, toilets, playing surfaces, lighting, scoring and storage.
The upgrades also feature many sustainable features such as solar panels, rainwater storage and recycled materials. Additionally, new storm water infrastructure collects the runoff from playing surfaces and directs it to nearby wetlands where it is recycled for irrigating the oval’s grassed areas.
The Australian Government contributed $5 million towards this $8.2 million project with the State Government providing $800,000 from Round 2 of the Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball Facility Program and Council funding of $2.4 million.
Official Opening
On 13 June 2024, Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes was joined by Senator for South Australia Karen Grogan and Member of the Legislative Council Reggie Martin for the official opening of the upgraded Goolwa Oval Recreation Precinct.
Senator Karen Grogan was representing the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Catherine King MP, and the Hon Reggie Martin MLC was representing the South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, the Hon Katrine Hildyard.
The opening ceremony at the new clubrooms was also attended by Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie MP, the State Member for Finniss David Basham MP, and representatives from affiliated football, cricket, hockey, netball, tennis, and croquet clubs and the Lions Club of Goolwa.
The precinct is now open to the public with all infrastructure functioning and available for community use.
Pictured: The Hon Reggie Martin MLC, left, Alexandrina Chief Executive Officer Nigel Morris, Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes, Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, State Member for Finniss David Basham, Senator for South Australia Karen Grogan and Tonkin Schutz Managing Director Gavin Tonkin.
Announcements
Follow our journey from announcements to construction by reading our media releases:
- Media Release - Goolwa Oval Official Opening - 13 June 2024
- Media Release - Stage 2 update - 17 August 2023
- Media Release - Stage 2 update - 28 November 2022
- Media Release - Stage 2 underway - 29 August 2022
- Media Release - Building design released - November 2020
- Media Release – Federal Government Funding Announcement – October 2020
- Media Release – State Government Funding Announcement – April 2020
The Master Plan
Background
The upgrade has been a long sought-after aspiration for user groups of the facility including the Goolwa-Port Elliot Football Club, Goolwa Netball Club and Goolwa Cricket Club as well as benefitting many other users of the precinct
Community Consultation
Following significant community and stakeholder consultation, the Goolwa Sports Precinct Master Plan was endorsed by Council on 21 November 2019.