Mount Pleasant’s Old Talunga Park has been revamped with a $525,000 upgrade of court and lighting facilities as part of The Big Project.
The Barossa Council project was bolstered by a $197,000 contribution from the South Australian Government through the Grassroots Football, Cricket and Netball Facility Program.
Four courts have been upgraded to full sized courts with new surfaces and sports flood lighting has been installed to increase sporting opportunities including for local netball and tennis clubs.
Mayor Bim Lange said the upgrades were welcome news for the local clubs.
“High quality courts and LED floodlighting not only create a safer playing environment, but also expand opportunities for people to participate in competitive and social sport,” Mayor Lange said.
“This gives clubs an opportunity to grow, recruit, raise revenue and be sustainable.
“Mount Pleasant is a close-knit community and we know these upgrades will also benefit people in the wider community who access Old Talunga Park for recreation and leisure.”
Member for Schubert, Stephan Knoll said the upgrades had been a priority for local sporting clubs and would help to increase participation as well as growth in the local clubs.
“These upgrades are well overdue and will be a boon for Mount Pleasant’s tennis and netball clubs, who have worked hard for this result,” Mr Knoll said.
“Mount Pleasant Netball Club has gone from strength to strength since being reinvigorated in 2017 after a 10-year hiatus, and these improved facilities will only help it to continue to grow and flourish.
“This is backed by the commitment of both the netball and tennis clubs to provide significant financial support to this project, for which they should be highly commended.”
Mayor Lange said it was another example of the State Government and peak sporting bodies working with Council to deliver positive community health outcomes.
In a separate project facilitated by the Mount Pleasant Show Society and supported by Council, the Mount Pleasant Show Office has also been upgraded to meet contemporary standards for community use.
Mayor Lange said the shared-use facility was identified in the Talunga Park Masterplan and supports its function as a hub for community activity.
The project is jointly funded by Council and a $124,000 Commonwealth grant from the Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants program.
