South Australia’s Town of Gawler Council has announced that contractor, Outside Ideas Pty Ltd, will deliver the Karbeethan Reserve Stage 1 Redevelopment.
The Council says Stage one of the redevelopment is a major step in the implementation of Council’s Karbeethan Reserve Masterplan.
It secured up to $900,000 in grant funding for the project from the South Australian Government’s Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program.
Council will contribute an additional $2.6 million providing for a total estimated project cost of $3.5 million.
“Works for stage one of the Karbeethan Reserve redevelopment will begin in July 2023 and are expected to be finished by the end of the year,” said Council CEO, Henry Inat.
“The construction methodology and staging to deliver a successful project around active sports was a strong element of Outside Ideas’ tender submission. Council and Outside Ideas will be working closely with the sporting associations to minimise impacts to their playing seasons.”
Karbeethan Reserve is home to the Gawler Eagles FC (soccer), Gawler & Districts Softball Association (Bluejays, Giants, Kangas, Trinity, and Two Wells clubs) and Gawler Rangers Baseball Club. The redevelopment plan includes significant lighting, fencing and irrigation upgrades to better support the playing of soccer, baseball and softball at the sporting precinct.
LED Lighting upgrades will also enable evening training and games to be held, optimising use of the precinct. Fencing and irrigation upgrades will provide better water efficiency as well as improve game day experiences for players and spectators alike, Council said in a statement.
“This is a considered investment in an area of Gawler that’s experiencing significant urban growth. The upgrade will support that growth and our reputation for being a great place to live as well as providing tangible benefits in physical and mental health,” said Mayor, Karen Redman.
“This investment will assist the hundreds of local men, women, and children from across Gawler and the wider region who come to be a part of a team and get involved in community sport.
“The masterplan for Karbeethan Reserve is a long-term, 10-year project, that is being brought to fruition in workable stages. Council recently announced that we had purchased two adjoining allotments to allow for future expansion of the reserve and this was made possible with a $800,000 grant contribution from the Minister for Planning, through the State Government’s Open Space Grant Program financed through the Planning and Development Fund.
“We look forward to seeing stage one of the redevelopment completed and the initial stages of our community’s vision becoming a reality,” said Mayor Redman.
