Central Oval Community Sporting Hub

Walk through the new Central Oval precinct before the first brick is laid.

A 3D animation has just been released showing an artists view of the new multi-million dollar Central Oval Community Sporting Hub.

The project is moving closer to its autumn start date with the design phase expected to be completed in late January and then tenders for construction called, which will close in early March.

Mayor Joy Baluch said the project is one of the biggest to be undertaken in the city for many years.

“The creation of a central sporting and community hub will provide Port Augusta residents with a place to meet, play sport and socialise,” Mayor Baluch said.

“It will be community building and will have an impact similar to when the Town Hall was first built in the 1880s.  Back then it meant that the town of Port Augusta had come of age.  

“Now, the new Central Oval Community Sporting Hub will replace the Town Hall as the heart of the city and will be multi-use, suitable for the arts, sport and entertainment.  It will be a truly modern precinct, built to suit resident’s lifestyles of today and will build confidence in the City.”

The City Manager Greg Perkin said, “The project will bring external funds of $10 million into our city and this alone will help stimulate and build the city’s economy as well as provide much needed community facilities”

Port Augusta City Council Elected Members gave the go-ahead for the project in September.

Included in the plans are an AFL standard football oval, and the addition of netball courts to the site.

A two-story multi-use stadium will be the centrepiece of the project and will feature three multi-use courts, an upstairs function area with viewing to both the ovals and the indoor courts, and retractable walls that will open the stadium onto a plaza precinct.

Other planned features include:

• Office space for sporting groups
• Parents area
• Canteen/café
• Raised indoor viewing platform on the second level
• Retractable seating the stadium
• Community room
• Gym/weights room and spa
• Change rooms
• Medical and massage rooms