Council's transformation of the town's only sport and recreation facility includes an oval extension, new changeroom facilities, resurfaced tennis courts, formalised parking, and enhanced spectator amenities such as seating - all designed to improve the experience for athletes and supporters alike.
The extended oval now features both full-sized senior and junior soccer pitches, enabling the One Tree Hill Soccer Club to host all home games at McGilp for the first time. This upgrade gives the club a true home ground, bringing all teams together and strengthening club culture.
New, modern and accessible changerooms are now available for the One Tree Hill Soccer Club, Tennis Club and Cricket Club, providing upgraded amenities that reflect the growing needs of local sport.
Council has also refreshed the existing clubrooms, with new kitchen facilities, upgraded toilets, and a fresh coat of paint to improve the overall look and feel of the space.
The upgrade was shaped by feedback from local residents and tenant sporting clubs who took part in community engagement during the planning phase. Their insights helped ensure the improvements reflect how people want to use this space - the primary recreation area for the hills-based community.
Council is also currently upgrading the adjacent playground, which will connect to the sporting facilities and sits alongside the new pump track. This enhancement will create a true community hub, encouraging active lifestyles and social connection. The upgraded recreation space is expected to open in spring.
The City of Playford received $1.5 million in funding towards the project from the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.
Emily Burke, MLC, Minister for Recreation, Sport & Racing, Mayor Glenn Docherty and Member for King, Rhiannon Pearce MP joined representatives from One Tree Hill sports clubs to officially inspect the new upgraded facilities ahead of the One Tree Hill Soccer Club's first home game, scheduled for Saturday 17 May.
Quotes attributable to Emily Bourke MLC, Minister for Recreation, Sport & Racing
Our Government is committed to supporting grassroots sport and investing in modern infrastructure to help communities get active. Clubs across multiple codes will have access to a significantly improved space, with players and the families who cheer them on set to benefit. It's great to see the project - delivered in partnership with council - come together to support locals and visitors at a popular and well-known site.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Glenn Docherty
As our community continues to grow, we are working to provide better facilities for our residents. Sport has always played a vital role in the Playford community and upgrading our facilities is a step towards boosting participation and to enjoying the many benefits of an active, healthy community. This project is yet another example of the fantastic outcomes that can be achieved when the state government and council work together to improve local infrastructure.
Quotes attributable to Rhiannon Pearce MP, Member for King
McGilp Recreation Park is a cornerstone of One Tree Hill. But it needed a little love. That is why I committed to help upgrade this space - to ensure it continues to support families in the area for generations to come. Through this upgrade, we will see Billies return to One Tree Hill, along with their first ever women's team! I am pleased that the Malinauskas State Government has been able to work collaboratively with the City of Playford to ensure this space continues to meet the needs of the local community.
Quotes attributable to Garry Evans, President, One Tree Hills Sports Association
We're absolutely over the moon with the results of the upgrade. The new facilities are fantastic - from the resurfaced tennis courts to the modernised clubrooms and kitchen. The oval is looking great, and it's exciting to have all three clubs back together in one place. This upgrade gives us a real opportunity to grow our clubs and get more young people involved in local sport.
