Plans to upgrade the Goolwa oval sports precinct have received a major boost with funding of $800,000 from the state government’s Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball Facilities Program.

Member for Finniss David Basham says it is a welcome contribution to the project.

“Goolwa is a growing regional community and there is increasing demand on local sporting and recreational facilities,” Mr Basham says.

“Sport club memberships are on the rise in Goolwa and this has placed stress on the original infrastructure at the oval precinct, some of which dates back to the 1940s. The facility is in urgent need of a major upgrade to accommodate the community’s needs.

“Alexandrina Council is to be commended for developing a master plan for the precinct’s improvement, which is strongly backed by the local community, and congratulated for a successful application.”

The master plan includes new 1194m² integrated multi-use sporting club room facilities; four new unisex change rooms; four new and upgraded tennis and netball courts; new cricket training facilities; and new croquet pitches.

There will also be a new football warm-up area; new dedicated lighting; new shared paths linking the precinct with Goolwa’s CBD; open green spaces with gazebos, barbecues and seating; new roadways and visitor car parks; and a new charity bookshop and storage shed.

“The $800,000 contribution from the Marshall Government will help to kickstart the (estimated) $3.387 million first stage of the project: construction of a brand new modular multi-purpose community sporting facility,” Mr Basham says.

“Last month I was pleased to arrange for a visit to the precinct by Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing Corey Wingard and this month I’m even more pleased to welcome his funding announcement. 

“This one of a dozen projects across South Australia receiving a combined total of more than $6 million from the second round of the Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball Facilities Program.”