ATHELTES across our region are set to be more comfortable before and after their sports, with the official opening of new changerooms at Karbeethan Reserve and the Gawler Central Sporting Club on Wednesday.
Member for Light, Tony Piccolo MP, said the much-needed amenity upgrades will benefit the various growing sporting clubs, both male and female, who will utilise the facilities.
“It’s important those in our region who want to be active are given the adequate spaces they require to prepare for a game and unwind following a match,” Mr Piccolo said.
“With the continued rise in participation in sport, particularly females in the area, we need to ensure players, umpires and officials are all comfortable not only when they’re on the field, but also off it.
“I’m pleased the Malinauskas Labor State Government have delivered the funding required following our community advocacy and thank Town of Gawler and the local sporting clubs for working to make these projects a reality.”
The Karbeethan Reserve changerooms, funded by a $900,000 State Government Election Commitment Grant, includes five new changerooms, a laundry, storage room, and trainer room, totalling 13 showers, 9 toilets, and 10 sinks.
Mayor Karen Redman, who joined Mr Piccolo at both openings, said the new changerooms contributes to Karbeethan Reserve ever increasing as a vibrant sports hub that serves our community of all ages through fitness, coaching, training, competitions, volunteering and social engagement.
“We recently celebrated the completion of Stage 1 of Karbeethan Reserve, which saw the addition of redeveloped baseball, softball, and soccer pitches,” Mayor Redman said.
“Local sports clubs play a crucial role in fostering healthier, happier, and more connected communities.
“Having modern sports facilities encourages physical fitness, mental well-being, social inclusion, the development of important life skills – and of course local athletes.”
Chairperson of Karbeethan Sporting Association, Peter Broelman, said the Gawler Eagles Football Club, Gawler Rangers Baseball Club and Gawler and Districts Softball Association are all “excited to see long-awaited change room facilities come to fruition thanks to the Malinauskas Labor government and the Town of Gawler.”
“Thanks to the advocacy of Tony Piccolo, our players, of all ages, can now enjoy a modern and fresh environment in which to call home,” Mr Broelman said.
“Notably, a women's change room has enabled a women's soccer team to be formed, an important development for inclusive female representation of our community, and a pathway for junior girls to aspire to.”
Later in the afternoon, the Gawler Central Sporting Club celebrated the opening of their new changeroom facility at Gawler Oval.
The project was made possible through $416,000 from the State Government’s Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program, and includes two full changerooms, two doctors/massage rooms, two bathrooms with three toilets, three sinks and four showers each, two umpires’ rooms with separate amenities (one toilet, sink and shower each), and two separate male/female public toilets with three toilets and sinks each.