Kicking goals for Goolwa with $5M for sports precinct

6 Oct 2020
Goolwa sports

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has secured $5 million towards the upgrade of the Goolwa Sports Precinct, including the building of new multi-purpose clubrooms that meet modern standards.

The funding is part of a $10 million proposal being facilitated by the Alexandrina Council which owns and manages the oval and adjoining courts and recreation areas.

The funding was outlined in today's Federal Budget.

Once completed, the Goolwa community will have new netball and tennis courts; cricket training facilities; croquet pitches and lighting as well as improved car parking, road and pedestrian links and open space with barbecues and seating.

“I am delighted that the Federal Government has responded to my direct advocacy and provided this much-need funding,” Rebekha said

“Council and club representatives took me on a tour of the precinct during the 2019 election campaign and I could see first-hand how necessary it was to bring the whole area up to modern standards.

“Like many communities in Mayo, the sporting facilities at Goolwa are a collection of structures dating back to the 1930s through to renovations in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

“They don’t meet the standards of the different sporting bodies and they are not gender-inclusive or accessible for all, particularly the main clubrooms which is a two-storey building that can only be reached using stairs.

“This $5 million, when added to the contribution of the Council and other groups, will deliver a precinct that will improve the health and social inclusiveness of the local community as well providing boosting the local economy through the construction and ongoing maintenance of the project.”

Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes said the sporting precinct would offer an important place for the community to foster connections and gain easy access to valuable recreation services.

“On behalf of the Alexandrina community, I would like to thank the Australian Government for this generous funding commitment," Mayor Parkes said.

"I am delighted to see further investment in our region to provide our community with fantastic new sporting facilities to help foster not only our next generation of sporting champions, but importantly a place where community can thrive in a healthy way, therefore generating significant community benefits for all in the long term.

“I would also like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, who advocated strongly on behalf of Council to help bring this funding for this vital community sporting precinct to life.”

Alexandrina Council Chief Executive Officer Glenn Rappensberg said the project would bring many positive benefits to the region.

“This investment by the Government has both social and economic benefits for our region and will stimulate our local clubs, businesses and community groups to grow and flourish," he said.

"Council has a net budget allocation of $2.475 million towards the Goolwa Sports Precinct and has commenced Stage 1 of the development, following a funding commitment of $800,000 from the South Australian Government.

"Securing this $5 million of funding, being 50% of the estimated total project cost, will ensure that the broader vision for the Precinct is realised."

Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes, right, took Rebekha on tour of the Goolwa Sports Precinct back in May 2019, along with council staff and representatives of the Goolwa/Port Elliot Football Club.

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