North Adelaide unveils stunning redevelopment at Prospect Oval

By ZAC MILBANK

North Adelaide is the latest SANFL club to significantly upgrade its home facility, with South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas unveiling the Roosters $1.5m redevelopment in time for the 2023 SANFLW Hostplus League season.

Joining fellow SANFL clubs Central District and Glenelg in recently establishing modern changeroom facilities for its female players, the Roosters’ project also included the relocation of its gymnasium and function centre at Prospect Oval.

Supported by a $560,000 State Government grant, North also created a premium presentation space which includes a Legends Room to showcase the club’s history.

North Adelaide Chairman Andrew Souter thanked the State Government for its valuable contribution while paying tribute to the Prospect Council for its continued support.

“Receiving this grant from the State Government provided us the opportunity to develop much-needed quality facilities for our female players who have been without adequate changerooms at Prospect Oval since we entered the SANFLW competition seven years ago,” Mr Souter said.

“Having a good relationship with the City of Prospect also has provided the club with much-needed ongoing maintenance and we look forward to continuing this for many years to come.

“The project has been in the pipeline for several years with the board working closely with all levels of government and the finished product is a just reward for the hard work put in by the club.”

New female changerooms and toilets are at the centrepiece of the redevelopment, giving North’s talented women their own dedicated space at the northern end of the Menzies Crescent precinct.

The Roosters’ redevelopment follows the Tigers’ establishment of unisex changerooms for its female players at Glenelg in 2021 while the Bulldogs took the wraps off their new facility in November last year.

At Elizabeth, Central demolished its existing visitors’ changeroom before constructing three state-of-the-art changerooms inclusive of showers, toilets and a trainer’s room.

The Bulldogs were also assisted by the State Government and the City of Playford in bringing their vision to life.

”From a SANFL perspective, these developments are critical for our SANFL competition, to ensure we have the best facilities for our players and volunteers to thrive,” SANFL Head of Infrastructure and Government Relations Belinda Marsh said.

”With increased demand and higher expectations, we must continue to improve SANFL venues so they meet the needs of our football communities.

”Inclusive amenities, quality lighting and surfaces, functional spaces for our coaches and support staff and welcoming environments for supporters, are priorities we will continue to work with our partners to improve.”

Sturt is expected to be the next SANFL club to open a significant facility improvement, with the Double Blues’ long-awaited Stage 2 redevelopment of Wigan Oval at Unley nearing completion.

The $4.5m project will deliver a new function room atop the Jack Oatey Grandstand, offices, coaches boxes, corporate boxes, media facilities and a plaza overlooking the spectacular Oxford Terrace venue.