In a major coup for the South Australian football/soccer community, construction will commence this week on the new $24 million State Centre of Football – a project that's creating 100 jobs.
The Marshall Liberal Government is addressing an ever-growing demand for the 'world game' in the expanding northern suburbs with the Gepps Cross development to include a show pitch with a 1,000-seat grandstand.
The complex will also feature a two-storey administration and function centre for Football SA, two full size synthetic floodlit training pitches, gymnasium, change rooms and 10 outdoor five-a-side pitches.
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard said the new football facility will be a game-changer for the state, catering for all levels of the sport from grassroots to elite level competition.
"With the FIFA Women's World Cup coming to Australia in 2023, we're investing in football infrastructure to ensure Adelaide is selected as a host city for the tournament and as a legacy development for the sport," Minister Wingard said.
"The State Centre of Football will play a key role in this bid as a world-class training facility and going forward it will also have the capacity to facilitate FFA Cup matches and other national and international training and events.
"I'm excited about the huge potential this project has to engage more people of all ages to play football which is part of our Game On strategy to get South Australians moving.
"The State Centre will form part of the State Sports Park which will become an integrated, multi-use community and elite sports hub that is greener, more accessible and more welcoming."
Highly-awarded South Australian company Built Environs has been announced as the builder and Managing Director Michael Clemenger said he was thrilled to work on a local project that will benefit the wider community.
"Enhancing the way people live, work and play is the core of the Built Environs business so delivering this new community sports hub is really exciting for us; especially in our hometown of Adelaide," Mr Clemenger said.
Football SA CEO Michael Carter said he was excited to see construction get underway after being in the planning stages for almost 10 years.
"The State Centre of Football comes to fruition following a considerable journey in developing community and club-based venues," Mr Carter said.
"Participation in football continues to expand and demand for open space remains.
"The venue will cater for existing use but will importantly allow us to welcome a new wave of social participants to the game who cannot commit to regular organised training and games.
"The investment from the State Government will see the land at State Sports Park come to life and the plans for future development of the site are extremely exciting for the surrounding communities."
The Marshall Government will work alongside the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and City of Salisbury to capture and reuse stormwater in the precinct, and build new roads with access to the State Centre that will become part of the local road network.
Other amenities to be built include a public café and car parking for 200 vehicles.
The Roma Mitchell Secondary College girls' campus which will be built immediately south of the Centre will also have access to the football facilities, parking, and new roads.
Construction is expected to be completed by early 2022.
