Published on 25 July 2023

Change room boom continues in Onkaparinga

New and upgraded change rooms at Happy Valley Sports park were unveiled last Saturday—the latest in a long line of recent change room and sporting facility upgrades in Onkaparinga.

The project includes two upgraded and two new change rooms that feature unisex* toilets and showers, prioritising accessibility with features including ramps, handrails and adequate space for people with mobility issues.

It was made possible by $818,330 from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, $780,000 from the state government’s Office for Recreation and Sport, and around $100,000 from council.

Onkaparinga Mayor Moira Were said the new rooms not only improve the experience for football, cricket, tennis, netball and softball players with modern, well-equipped and comfortable spaces, the facility also enhances the park’s reputation as one of Onkaparinga’s premier sporting destinations.

“Clubs like these contribute so much to Onkaparinga and our way of life, providing opportunities for families to stay healthy and active, but also to build connection and stay engaged with our communities—both on the field and off,” she said.

“So, when we invest in a project like this, we’re not just investing in bricks and mortar, we’re investing in communities.

“A huge thank you to the federal government for its funding contribution through the LRCI program. Applying for LRCI funding has been a brilliant way for council to bring forward priority projects to benefit the community, on top of our existing capital works program, so it also helps us deliver better outcomes for ratepayers.

“Also, a huge thank you to the state government for its funding contribution, which delivered on an election commitment with the support of Erin Thompson, Member for Davenport.

“Finally, I’d like to thank the Happy Valley Sports Park committee, including the football, cricket, netball, softball and the social club for your collaboration, assistance and patience during the planning and implementation of these works.”

The council acknowledged the advocacy and support of Erin Thompson MP, Katrine Hildyard MP, Amanda Rishworth MP, and Senator Andrew McLachlan in helping bring the project to fruition.

The project is just one in a long line of change room upgrades underway or completed in Onkaparinga to provide more inclusive, accessible, modern and compliant facilities to the community.

*'Unisex' changerooms means the changerooms now cater equally for all players, replacing old change facilities that were traditionally designed only to cater for male use. They have been designed to provide more privacy for all players. For example, urinals are replaced with enclosed toilet bays and open showering areas will be replaced with cubicles – all with doors and privacy locks. The local sporting clubs that use the facilities will continue managing them as they always have, with good programming to ensure that male, female, and non-binary players have safe access during sports training and competition.

Recently completed sporting upgrades with change room revamps include:

• Morphett Vale Memorial Sports Complex ($980,000 from LRCI and council)
• Peregrine Park, Christie Downs ($750,000 from LRCI and council)
• Port Noarlunga Community Sports Complex ($3.5 million, co-funded by the Government of South Australia's Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program and council).

Change room upgrade projects that will be completed soon include:

• Reynella Sports Complex ($1.3 million, including funding from LRCI, the state government, and council)
• Aldinga Sports Park ($1.7 million from the state government and council)
• Old Noarlunga Sports Ground ($900,000 from the state government).