Unley Oval Community Hub

Illustration Unley Oval entrance gate

Unley Oval's second stage of redevelopment was informed by consultation with local community groups about the need for a purpose-built facility, for a project that would benefit both sporting clubs and the community, with construction of multi-use meeting spaces and upgraded spectator viewing areas. 

Stage 1 of the Unley Oval redevelopment, completed in 2018, delivered upgrades to both grandstands and included new umpire rooms, women’s change rooms, a new public canteen, upgraded interiors in ‘away’ and ‘home’ team rooms, new public toilets and improved disability access.

Stage 2 upgrades focuses on more community facilities in the creation of a Community Hub, which will house administration offices and spaces for key community partners - Youth Inc., Life Changer and Sturt Football Club. The needs of the wider community will be met by inclusion of a large, flexible multi-function space, which will be available for use by community groups and casual hirers. The facility will also host a number of Council-initiated programs and workshops. 

The Community Hub redevelopment will:

  • Provide a multi-function space including commercial kitchen, theatrette for lectures and presentations, lounge areas for socialising, and meeting rooms
  • Provide mezzanine space for leasing by longer-term partners, including Sturt Football Club and another community organisation
  • Meet all disability access standards
  • Improve the aesthetic appearance of the grandstands and streetscape frontage.

Funding

The City of Unley committed $1.2m in the 2019/20 budget for this project. Sturt Football Club has contributed $1m to the project.  The Federal Government is supporting the project with a major funding contribution from its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program.

Infrastructure grant support

In 2022, Council secured $635,000 in State Government funding from the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing to enhance Unley Oval's playing surface, improve drainage and install modern irrigation systems . These upgrades will deliver a high-quality sports surface year-round, and the Oval's improved usability will benefit all visitors to the precinct.

Frequently asked questions

Who uses the Unley Oval facility? 

The Community

This regional facility attracts users from a wide area, including the City of Unley (39,000+ people) and greater Adelaide.

Key activities include:

  • Fitness, recreation, play
  • Dog exercise
  • Community events.

Regular community users include:

  • Junior School Soccer Training
  • Social football matches
  • Personal trainers
  • Schools, kindergartens and childcare centres.

Sturt Football Club

The Sturt Football Club is comprised of approximately 200 players and officials. Over 3,000 members and approximately 30,000 spectators attend during the course of a season.

Unley Oval Precinct Users

The Unley Oval precinct is also the home ground for Sturt District Cricket Club. Precinct facilities house the Sturt Lawn Tennis Club and Sturt Lawn Bowls Club.

AFL / AFLW / SANFL

Grandstand upgrades addressed the requirements of the AFL Preferred Facility Guidelines and promoted the growth of Australian Rules football in the region. Unley Oval hosted a Women’s AFL match between Adelaide Crows and GWS Giants in March 2019, attracting an official crowd of 7,725 spectators.

Who has been consulted ?

Recent engagement demonstrated a demand for a community space for groups to meet with standard facilities and equipment available. Community groups and organisations were surveyed on their potential need for regular space, to assess if there was demand for a community hub facility.  318 groups were invited to participate in the consultation and 56 responded. A total of 29 respondents indicated a current or future unmet need for a community space for meetings and activities.

What happens next ?

Kennett Builders have been engaged to undertake Unley Oval’s Stage 2 Community Hub project. The company’s work will predominantly focus on the Oatey Grandstand redevelopment.

Residents will first see the arrival of site facilities and huts, along with site fencing, from Monday 21 February. These site facilities will be located at the northern end of the Harry Mackay Grandstand, in a similar position as they were at Unley Oval for improvement works during Stage 1 in 2018.

The building project is expected to continue until the end of the year, while turf works at the iconic Oval will likely be completed by early 2023.

 

 

 

 

Location

Trimmer Terrace, Unley 5061  View Map

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Contact details

8372 5111
pobox1@unley.sa.gov.au

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