Major upgrades to the Paul Murray Recreation Centre, Knox Park, and Noarlunga United Soccer Club facilities are a step closer following Council approval for funding and concept plans on Tuesday night.
City of Onkaparinga Acting Mayor Simon McMahon said the Council decisions, which could see an additional $3.23 million injected into the projects, represent a major boost to gymnastics, athletics, soccer and other sports across the south.
“Sport and recreation are key ways our communities stay active, healthy and engaged, so these three projects are set to have huge impacts on the Onkaparinga way of life,” he said.
“Participation in sports such as gymnastics, athletics and soccer are booming, so it’s vital we cater to this growth in a time-sensitive, cost-effective and gender-equitable way.
“I can’t wait to see these upgraded facilities being put through their paces by Onkaparinga’s sporting stars.”
Paul Murray Recreation Centre
The council-owned Paul Murray Recreation Centre at O’Halloran Hill—home to Hub Gymnastics—will now receive an additional $1.45 million in 2023–24, made up of council funds and $443,000 from the federal government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Round 3 extension program.
The additional funding will help Hub Gymnastics realise its full vision for a transformation of the centre and support its burgeoning membership, following a recent $3 million commitment from the state government, and $1 million from the federal government.
The upgrade includes an expansion of the main gym hall, provision of a new kindergym hall, expansion and increased ceiling height of the community room to cater for aerobics gymnastics and increase flexibility for other users, development of a mezzanine level adjacent the gym hall for spectator viewing, and upgrades to the reception/canteen, and office facilities to improve efficiency and flexibility of use.
The design process is expected to be finished by mid-2023.
Knox Park
In Morphett Vale, a multi-use sports park and new home to Southern Athletics at Knox Park (pictured) is a step closer after Council approved a concept plan to proceed to detailed design and construction following community engagement from May to July.
The project will see the 5.1-hectare Kantalpa Grove site become a base for the growing Southern Athletic Club—which currently doesn’t home a home ground—and other turf sports.
The plan also aims to enhance the passive recreation opportunities for adjacent communities with planned improvements to include an upgraded playground, improved pedestrian linkages, enhanced tree canopy and landscaping.
The project will be delivered in short, medium and long-term stages, with a total of $2.2 million already jointly committed by council and the state government for stage one.
More than 84 per cent of survey respondents during community engagement were supportive of project, with feedback received from residents resulting in a number of amendments to the concept plan, including around long-term carpark options; location of toilets and a club storage facility ; and the type of surface for discus, javelin, shotput and high jump areas.
Detailed design is tipped to conclude by early 2023, with construction envisaged to take place from June 2023 to early 2024.
Noarlunga United Soccer Club
Also in Morphett Vale, Noarlunga United Soccer Club is a step closer to an upgrade of its changerooms, road and car park, and sports pitch lighting at Wilfred Taylor Reserve after Council approved contributing $808,000 in funding in 2023–24.
Council also agreed to apply for $967,000 in funding from the federal government’s LRCI program for the project, which will now proceed to detailed design and construction of stage one works.
The additional funding adds to $1 million already secured from the state government, following council advocacy for the first stage of the project, which will include four unisex changerooms; new access, roadway car parking and safety improvements; and upgraded sports lighting on the premier pitch.
The upgrades will help cater to growing participation in soccer at the club and in the region, and meet modern changeroom standards for all genders.
Future works (currently unfunded) could include upgrading irrigation, a clubroom building upgrade, an additional pitch and other infrastructure including storage and a playground.
Detailed design for stage one will take place from December 2022 to June 2023, with construction to take place from September to June 2024 subject to successful funding through the LRCI program.
Pictured
Knox Park from above.