Noarlunga Oval Development

[darley16]

For all lovers of the SANFL do yourself a favour and have a squizz at the development currently underway at Hickinbotham Oval, even only half completed be assured it is spectacular! Sure some bias from a South supporter, but being a footy club i thought it may be some half arsed project with money being wasted. I couldn't be more wrong. The new bar and pokie facilities are unrecognisable as to what was there previously and the massive bridge/enterance joining the grandstand to the changerooms changes the whole atmosphere and aesthetics of the oval. This has cost millions of dollars and is worth every cent, wonderful for not only SAFC but for the image of the SANFL, brillant!

[JK]

Spoke with a family member the other day who is a pretty reserved and quiet kinda bloke, but he was ultra impressed by whats going on down there ... Hat's off to the SAFC, looking forward to seeing it first hand* when we play there this year.

[Wedgie]

Bugger, I was at Christies Beach today and Noarlunga yesterday but didn't have a squizz, I'll make my way back down there in the next 2 weeks and try to remember my camera.

[blueandwhite]

As someone who was initially sceptical at best ,re the redevelopment, I can honestly say that from what I have seen ,it is truly extremely impressive. Due for completion in February it should be the equal of any clubs off field facilities in the sanfl.

[Squawk]

Bugger, I was at Christies Beach today and Noarlunga yesterday but didn't have a squizz, I'll make my way back down there in the next 2 weeks and try to remember my camera.

Yeah, photos pls southees or anyone passing by.

[Dutchy]

all they are doing is bringing it up to the standard of other SANFL ovals....nothing earth shattering...

[Squawk]

all they are doing is bringing it up to the standard of other SANFL ovals....nothing earth shattering...

But that would cost millions.......

Are the trees in the outer being straightened up?

In all seriousness, I'm looking forward to getting a preview.

[am Bays]

This has cost millions of dollars and is worth every cent, wonderful for not only SAFC but for the image of the SANFL, brillant!

How much is the redevelopment in peppercorns???

[blueandwhite]

dutchy you will be saddened to hear that nothing has been done to the playingsurface/oval in the redevelopment- only the off-field facilities.
Fortunately for all concerned the architects came up with a design where the club didnt have to bulldoze any croquet clubs to complete the job. This is the beauty of having your own facility , and not having to negotiate with the local council every time you want to change the color scheme etc. Mind you having ratepayers/council foot the bill for longstanding infrastructure such as grandstands etc would be helpful.

[stampy]

checked it out and i recommend to still bring your rifle for some shooting practice on the eastern side

[Dutchy]

dutchy you will be saddened to hear that nothing has been done to the playingsurface/oval in the redevelopment- only the off-field facilities.
Fortunately for all concerned the architects came up with a design where the club didnt have to bulldoze any croquet clubs to complete the job. This is the beauty of having your own facility , and not having to negotiate with the local council every time you want to change the color scheme etc. Mind you having ratepayers/council foot the bill for longstanding infrastructure such as grandstands etc would be helpful.

so your telling me the SAFC wholly own the ground? and even if so you somehow dont need council approval for any development?

[Wedgie]

I think Noarlunga's fine, only thing that needs changing is the bloody scoreboard to be moved so it doesn't have a big bloody light tower in front of it.

[Squawk]

Mind you having ratepayers/council foot the bill for longstanding infrastructure such as grandstands etc would be helpful.

Oliver, Oliver - "What? More!"

South pay a peppercorn rent of $1 a year for the oval for how many years and now you think public monies need to be put up as well? Mike "Go Panfers" Rann stitched that rental deal up for you because he is a South man and Peter Alexander is a shrewd negotiator even on a quiet day - knows when and where to strike to get the desired results.

I've got a lot of close ties to South but in this case I think it's asking a bit much to have the council build a grandstand. The one you have now is fine (very good in fact - especially the upstairs function area) and how often is that full?

[blueandwhite]

we want nothing to do with the council. We will row our own boat thanks. Look at the issues that Port and Sturt have had regarding councils over the years, we are in a fortunate position-thanks Mike, that we are not beholding to a council and its ratepayers.
Because suburban councils have invested so much in their local ovals over the last 60 yrs ,everynow and then they feel obliged to do a bit of sabre rattling and make things a little difficult for their local sanfl club.

[Dutchy]

we want nothing to do with the council. .

answer the question....who owns the oval?

[darley16]

Dutchy, the State Govn't own the oval and have in place a 99 year peppercorn lease to SAFC.
Given the term of the lease the oval for all intents and purposes is SAFC however the ownership remains with the SA Gov'n. As far as the eastern side of the oval is concerned, that and the car parking around the ground have remained untouched, how anyone who remembers the old facility can ignore both the modern architecture, scope and demensions of the development on the western side smack of jealously or pure ignorance. This development doesn't just bring the facility up to other SANFL grounds it goes well beyond.

[Dutchy]

This development doesn't just bring the facility up to other SANFL grounds it goes well beyond.

In what way?

[westcoastpanther]

It's just annoying for the Dutchy's of the site that they can't bag Noarlunga for it's awful facilities anymore.....

[topsywaldron]

It's just annoying for the Dutchy's of the site that they can't bag Noarlunga for it's awful facilities anymore.....

Have to stick with the actual team then.

[westcoastpanther]

Says the Norwood supporter, nice one Milky....