FAQs

The Mount Barker Regional Sports Hub will be constructed in stages, subject to community growth rates, need and funding. When fully constructed it will provide regional level sporting facilities for Australian Rules Football, Cricket, Football (soccer), Netball and Tennis.

There is already a shortage of sports facilities within the region and as the community continues to grow, particularly noting the planned growth for Mount Barker, Littlehampton and Nairne, more sports facilities are needed. The need for the facilities are further explained in the Business Case.

Within the Mount Barker District Council area there are many local level sporting facilities to support club level training and games. A regional sports hub will deliver a higher standard of sports facility suitable for finals, regional, state and even national level competitions (as well as weekly training and games); for example, Anembo Park is a regional facility. A regional sports hub is primarily aimed at meeting the regional sports facility standards as required by each of the sporting codes.

Yes. The premier oval and premier soccer pitch will have sufficient lighting to meet regional standards. Other sporting playing surfaces will also be lit for local standard training and night games. Construction of sports lighting will be subject to external funding and may be constructed in a separate stage to the playing surface(s) if necessary.

Construction of stage 1 commenced in November 2019 and will be completed by summer 2020 (subject to weather and site service augmentation). The composition/scope and scheduling of future project stages will be determined by Council subject to community need, statutory approvals and funding.

The cost estimate for the whole of the regional sports hub as shown in the masterplan is circa $38 million.

The stage 1 project budget is $23.81m including contingency budget for design, professional fees, construction and surplus spoil management. A range of value management items have been identified and are being pursed to reduce the total stage 1 cost.

The project will be funded through a combination of state and federal grants, peak sporting body contributions, Council funding and local community fundraising.

Portion 1 - bulk earthworks and civil

• Bulk earthworks
• Springs Road entrance - right turn lane
• Internal road (spray seal) from Springs Road (only)
• Car parking and lighting
  • Lower car park - 244
  • Upper car park - 165 (58 with viewing over oval)
  • Additional 55 car parks around premier oval
• Footpaths/paving around buildings and lighting
• Internal site services:
  • Sewer
  • Electrical
  • Gas (bottled)
  • Water (potable)
  • NBN
• Storm water - swales, pipes and detention basin
• Landscaping and irrigation (note: fitted for future switch to recycled water)
• Soccer pitches (synthetic) 1 and 2, fenced (1.8m high chain mesh)
• Premier oval with 4 turf centre wickets (split 2 and 2), picket fence, goal posts
• 3 concrete practice wickets/nets
• Precinct fencing: 1.2m high farm fencing

Portion 1 element by FFSA

• Synthetic soccer pitch surface (x2 pitches) by Greenplay (FFSA contract), goals, corner flags

Preliminaries and other by Council

• Professional fees / project management / statutory fees / detailed design and documentation
• Site preparation and service connections:
  • Tree removal/revegetation
  • Bird boxes
  • SAPN
  • SA Water
  • NBN
  • Wastewater
• Sports lighting (premier oval, soccer pitches 1 and 2)

Portion 2 - buildings

• Building A - soccer
• Building B - Aussie rules / cricket
• Maintenance shed with solar panels

Council will own and operate the facilities on behalf of the community. A skills based management Board has been appointed by the Council to oversee the management of the facility to deliver agreed outcomes for the community. Facility management arrangements including facility bookings, hire, cleaning and maintenance are still to be determined.

Board members were appointed in confidence at the 20 January 2020 Council meeting. Board members have accepted their appointments and preparation for Board induction and the inaugural meeting are in progress. The Board members are:

• Mr Iain Evans, Chairperson (3 year term)
• Mr Paul Brown (3 year term)
• Mr Peter Scargill (2 year term)
• Ms Jane Russo (2 year term)
• Cr Samantha Jones (appointed for the remainder of Council term [Nov 2022])