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GRANDSTAND UPGRADE: An artist's impression of how the grandstand would look under a proposed Stage 1 redevelopment of Bennett Oval.
The City of Whyalla has taken the first steps in a plan to redevelop Bennett Oval into a multi-purpose sporting precinct and now wants community input.
Council is proposing Stage 1 of the redevelopment involving a total refurbishment of the grandstand, associated facilities and an upgrade of the playing surface and lights to bring them up to Australian Football League and national cricket standards.
"There will be a public consultation/information session at Westland on Thursday, March 14 between 4pm and 7pm"
Subsequent stages would involve the integration of other sports and associated facilities into the area to create a greater sporting precinct.
Council CEO Chris Cowley said input from the community and sporting groups was now vital to plot the path of the redevelopment and create a facility that benefits as many sports as possible.
“Stage 1 of the redevelopment is timely when you consider we now have Port Adelaide aiming to come here for a JLT pre-season game as part of their sponsorship from Sanjeev Gupta,” Mr Cowley said.
Fill out the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/THSP5LX
“We have also spoken to the South Australia Cricket Association, they are keen to get on-board and can see the possibility of state and national competition matches played in Whyalla.
“We now need to find out what other facilities the community wants to create a quality sporting area that provides better facilities for existing sports in Whyalla and is capable of attracting higher quality competitions to our city.”
OVAL UPGRADE: The surface and facilities at Bennett Oval would be upgraded in the proposed Stage 1 of the redevelopment.
Mr Cowley said Stage 1, incorporating the field works and lighting, has been preliminary costed at $2.8m. Council will be seeking grants and corporate sponsorship to fund as much of the project as possible as it aims to have the oval and grandstand ready for use in early 2020.
“We just need the community and sporting clubs to get on board and have their say on what it will look like,” Mr Cowley said.
Council has issued an online survey for community members to have their say and make suggestions. It can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/THSP5LX with hard copies available at the Council offices on Darling Terrace or the Whyalla Public Library. The survey closes on Friday, March 22, 2019.
There will also be a public consultation/information session at Westland on Thursday, March 14 between 4pm and 7pm, where initial plans for Bennett Park will be on display and surveys can be completed. Sporting clubs will be approached individually for their input.
Proposed Stage 1 redevelopment of Bennett Oval:
- Totally refurbished grand stand building and toilet facilities inside and out
- Incorporates facilities to meet AFL playing requirements
- Refurbished and enhanced bar
- New canteen and cooking facilities
- New shade and weather structures
- Upgraded field lighting
- Upgraded irrigation for the playing surface
- New Turf and levelling for the playing surface.
- General amenity tidy up
- Disabled access from the carpark area.