15/03/2021

The Marshall Government will provide $6 million in funding to upgrade the state’s premier athletic track and field venue as part of its $204 million State Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Plan package.

The redevelopment of the SA Athletics Stadium will create 25 jobs and includes synthetic track replacement, security and access control system upgrades, universal design internal toilet upgrades, new external change room/toilet facilities and carpark upgrades.

This will add to the State Government’s investment of $2.3 million which saw LED tower lights installed at the stadium last year.

Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Corey Wingard, said it was crucial one of the state’s most important pieces of sporting infrastructure be updated in order to host of variety of events and athletes.

“The Marshall Government’s State Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Plan 2020-40 identified the SA Athletics Stadium as one of the state facilities which required significant investment for renewal and upgrade works,” Minister Wingard said.

“More than 250,000 people utilise the SA Athletics Stadium every year for high-performance training, athletics events, soccer games and hundreds of school carnivals and sports days.

“Upgrading the stadium will create a positive experience for all participants at the venue and set them up for success – whether it be encouraging junior athletes to continue being physically active or giving elite athletes a competitive edge.

“Ensuring everyone in our state has access to high quality sporting infrastructure is one of the outcomes we identified in our Game On initiative to get South Australians moving.”

Athletics SA President Jane Russo said it was an exciting time for athletics in South Australia, with funding being announced on the back of another major athletics infrastructure project being completed.

“This funding will bring the SA Athletics Stadium up to a modern standard and make South Australia more competitive on the national stage,” Ms Russo said.

“With the brand new Bridgestone Athletics Centre also set to open shortly, athletics has never been in a better position in South Australia to support continued growth in the sport and be accessible to all.

“This would not have been possible without the support of the State Government.”

The SA Athletics Stadium redevelopment forms part of a vision to revitalise the Mile End Sports Precinct where construction on the Netball SA Stadium stage 1 project is nearing completion.

Since March 2018, the Marshall Government has invested almost $198 million in South Australian sport and recreation with an additional $160 million to be spent under the State Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Plan package.

Construction works on the SA Athletics Stadium are expected to commence in 2021, with an estimated completion date of the track by February 2022.