Celebrating Whyalla City Council’s win in the AFL’s Ken Gannon Community Facility Project of the Year Award were, front from left, Whyalla City Council Director Infrastructure Kristen Clark, Deputy Mayor Phill Stone, SANFL Community Football Committee Member Holly Cowan, as well as representatives of the Whyalla Football League, including President Jack Velthuizen (back, middle).
Whyalla City Council projects continue to scoop the awards, with the latest being major recognition from the AFL for its Bennett Oval redevelopment.
The upgrade – which brought Bennett Oval up to AFL standard, enabling Whyalla to host an AFL pre-season match between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs in 2020 – has been named the South Australian winner of the AFL’s Ken Gannon Community Facility Project of the Year Award.
This award recognises best practise in Australian community football facility development across Australia; and comes on the back of numerous state and national awards and nominations for council’s world-class jetty project.
City of Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin said while the aim of the upgrades wasn’t to win awards, it provided validation that they were worthwhile investments in the community.
“To be named the best community football facility development in the state by the sport’s top code is amazing recognition for our city,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“It’s a credit to our Elected Members and staff for having the vision to approve the project and the capability to deliver it; as well as our key supporters in the South Australian Government, SACA, SANFL, AFL, Port Power and GFG Alliance.”
The AFL's National Venues and Community Facilities Manager, Shayne Ward, said the project was “a remarkable example of best practise”.
“The Bennett Oval redevelopment at Whyalla aligns very strongly to the AFL’s aim of providing well-positioned, welcoming, fit-for-purpose football facilities that support our growing game’s strategic priorities,” he said.
“A huge success of this project was the collaboration of all stakeholders involved to ensure all aspects of the precinct could operate to its full capacity and potential, proving exactly why it was South Australia’s State Winner.”
Port Adelaide Football Club CEO Matthew Richardson congratulated council on this worthy recognition.
“We were fortunate to work closely with the Whyalla City Council and saw their extraordinary effort to fast track the redevelopment in preparation for our AAMI Community Series game against the Western Bulldogs in March 2020,” he said.
“We were honoured to be part of this event, and our players commented how good the playing surface and changeroom facilities were. We were disappointed this year’s game was cancelled due to COVID travel restrictions, but look forward to returning to Bennett Oval at the next available opportunity to host another pre-season game.”
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard was also impressed with the upgraded facility, which was made possible by nearly $1 million in State Government funding.
“The redevelopment at the historic Bennett Oval in Whyalla is a perfect example of the Marshall Government’s sporting infrastructure grants delivering massive benefits to local communities,” he said.
“Sport plays a huge role in the city of Whyalla and this upgraded venue ensures the needs of clubs and organisations will be met for many years to come.”
Whyalla Football League President Jack Velthuizen said the upgrade had provided a huge boost to local football.
“These facilities are first class, so we’re really pleased with how they turned out and how quickly council was able to undertake the upgrade,” he said.