The $40 million upgrade to Lyndoch Recreation Park is already underway following this month’s announcement Barossa will host at least one AFL Gather Round match in 2025.
The Malinauskas Labor Government and The Barossa Council will each contribute $20 million to the Barossa Park project, with support from Barossa District Football and Netball Club, to upgrade the existing oval to AFL standards.
Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said this exciting partnership “will deliver a landmark precinct less than an hour from Adelaide’s CBD, bringing more visitors and tourism dollars into our regional and State economy as a major events destination.”
While it’s a major boost for Barossa tourism as footy fans flock to the region, State Member for Light and Labor Duty Member for Schubert, Tony Piccolo MP, is also pleased for the many clubs and community members who will call this new state-of-the-art facility home.
“It’s set to become a community hub for many of the grassroots clubs in our region, giving them the latest resources in place to encourage sporting and social participation, nurture youth development,” Mr Piccolo said.
“With top-class facilities in place, we also have the ability to make plays to host more major events in our region.
“Gather Round is another great opportunity to showcase our region across the nation, and even internationally, but our local clubs will continue to drive economic benefits and community engagement in the Barossa long after the round has been and gone.”
The new facility will be used year-round for local community and sporting events, including by the Barossa District Football and Netball Club, Lyndoch Cricket Club, Lyndoch Tennis Club, Lyndoch Bowling Club, Little Athletics Lyndoch & Districts and the Barossa Valley Pigeon Racing Club.
The upgrade features a new multi-purpose building comprising a 300-seat event space and clubrooms with commercial kitchen, multi-sport change facilities and gym.
The project also includes a mini-Adelaide Oval replica bar and service area to support events and the cricket club, new netball courts, a recreation green and second oval, athletics track, shelters, a new playground and family garden, more carparks and a formalised roadway.
Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said this investment goes well beyond sport, unlocking opportunity for arts, culture and festivals on a local and national scale.
“The expansion also puts us ahead of the game in supporting the growth of our new community, Concordia,” Mayor Lange said.
“And of course, grassroots communities are the big winners through high-quality infrastructure and open space to support participation in community life.”
Premier Peter Malinauskas officially made the announcement on Monday, 8 April 2024 and said, “With the Barossa acknowledged as one of the five most-recognised wine regions in the world, the wine and food experience as well as proximity to the CBD the region was a logical choice to be part of the 2025 AFL Gather Round.”
"However, it is crucial this investment sees community dividends for decades to come and I look forward to partnering with The Barossa Council to deliver this competition-level multi-use precinct that will benefit both the local sporting community and, also, tourism and visitation outcomes for the Barossa region." Premier Malinauskas said.
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon said, “to have the opportunity to showcase the stunning Barossa in 2025 for the thousands of fans who attend Gather Round is going to be something special.”