Nuriootpa sports facilities a 'game changer'

An $890,000 redevelopment of facilities at Nuriootpa’s sports precinct is set to be a game changer for female sports.

The new complex at Nuriootpa Centennial Park is now complete and features four new and upgraded changerooms for home and away teams that meet unisex standards, each with separate strapping and physiotherapy space.

Operable walls make the four spaces flexible and convertible to a much larger area. The facility also includes a medical room plus meeting space and new public toilets 

“Female competitors can now enjoy state-of-the-art facilities located under one roof, which will make a huge difference at training and on match days,” said Council’s Director Corporate and Community Services, Jo Thomas. 

“Unisex facilities are now an expected standard for regional-level sports grounds. We are confident these high-quality facilities will encourage both women and men to get involved, and stay involved, in grassroots sports.”

The project also highlights the Barossa’s increasing capacity to host big-ticket sporting events and competitions. 

“We are intentionally growing our capacity to attract elite sporting fixtures – the AFL Hub in the Barossa over August and September is a great example of this, plus last year’s Women’s Big Bash,” said Ms Thomas. 

“Investing in high quality sports facilities across multiple Barossa sporting grounds shows we are responsive and ready for new sports event opportunities and we have a track record for delivering high quality projects.

“Our partnership with the SANFL, Netball SA and SACA really is delivering genuine, on-the-ground results for our community.”

The Nuriootpa development is jointly funded by Council ($410,000), the Office for Recreation Sport and Racing Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball Facility Program Round 1 ($350,000) and local Nuriootpa club commitments ($130,000).

Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard said it’s fantastic to see the project finished and benefiting the local community.

“This is what our Grassroots Footy, Cricket and Netball Facility Program is all about - partnering with the sporting codes and local councils to deliver worthwhile projects that help people stay active and healthy,” the Minister said. 

The new facility is a key platform of the Nuriootpa Centennial Park masterplan to support grassroots soccer, football, netball, tennis and cricket as part of The Big Project.