A more than $20 million honeypot for much-needed club upgrades has been delivered to 82 applicants in another huge boost to grassroot sport across the state, improving facilities for children who dream of turning their passion into a career.
The latest round of the Marshall Liberal Government's Infrastructure Projects 2021-22 grant program – worth a whopping $20.6m – is improving sporting facilities and equipping communities with infrastructure that will last for generations to come.
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Corey Wingard, said South Australian sport and recreation organisations pounced when the latest round of applications opened in June.
"We're building what matters to South Australians and investing – approximately $45 million in the past two years – in grassroot club projects that make a genuine difference to people's lives," Minister Wingard said.
"This money has and continues to help build new grandstands, changerooms, toilets, kitchens, canteens, first aid rooms and is transforming clubs into wheelchair friendly spaces.
"Simple things like new family-friendly changerooms are now possible through the Marshall Government's game-changing program and we want to see everyone get a slice of the pie.
"We know now more than ever girls and young women are taking up sport and the appropriate facilities must be in place to accommodate and support the next generation of South Australian athletes.
"Our program has an enormous impact on the community and a benefit is seeing more people be active and healthy through participation in local sports.
"Further to that, we see hundreds of jobs created during the construction phase of these projects in a huge boost to our local economy.
"Since coming into Government, we've committed more than $400m to South Australian sport including upgrades for grassroots clubs.
"This is an investment in our children, young people and their futures."
Some of the recipients include:
Tea Tree Gully City Soccer, Fairview Park Junior Soccer Club, Golden Grove Soccer Club and Golden Grove Sports and Social Club – Provide four unisex changerooms, umpire and medical rooms, clubrooms, undercover viewing area and amenities.
Modbury Sporting Club – Construction of a new clubroom facility which will include four unisex changerooms, umpire rooms, function space and amenities, plus four LED lighting poles.
Prince Alfred Old Collegians Football Club – Construction of new sports club building with two unisex changerooms, viewing area, storage and amenities.
Port Adelaide Football & Community Club – Construction of unisex changerooms and two indoor community basketball courts.
The West Adelaide Bearcats Basketball Club – Conversion of three squash courts to 3x3 basketball courts and training facilities.
South Australian Dressage Association – Development of two Olympic-sized dressage arenas.
Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia (Para Branch) – Construction of a pistol range retaining wall.
South Australian Barefoot Water Ski Club – Construction of a multi-use clubroom including unisex changerooms, first aid, storage and canteen facilities.
Bordertown Football Club – Redevelopment of clubrooms and installation of unisex changerooms.
Cummins Rambler Football Club – Construction of community clubrooms with amenities.
Macclesfield Tennis Club – Construction of three tennis courts and two netball courts.
Mount Gambier Italo Australian Club – Construction of four unisex changerooms, umpire rooms, spectator viewing area and amenities.
Myponga Netball Club – Resurfacing of four multisport courts and fencing replacement.
Port Elliot Bowling Club – Installation of eight LED floodlights.
