Master Plan for Sporting Facilities May 2010

Final Report Prepared for Alice Springs Town Council

Prepared by SGL Consulting Group

T A BL E O F C O N T EN T S

1 INTRODUCTION...... 1 1.1 Background ...... 1 1.2 Objectives...... 1 1.3 M ethodology ...... 2 1.4 Structure of the Report...... 2 2 EXISTING SITUATION...... 3 2.1 Assessm ent Of Existing Facilities...... 3 2.2 Tenure Arrangem ents...... 3 2.3 Participation Levy...... 4 2.4 Sum m ary ...... 4 3 SPORTING FACILITIES OBJECTIVES ...... 6 3.1 Council’s Goals...... 6 3.1.1 Vision, M ission and Core Values...... 6 3.1.2 Goals and Outcom es ...... 6 3.2 Sporting Facilities Goals...... 7 4 FEASIBILITY INVESTIGATIONS ...... 8 4.1 Indoor M ultipurpose Venue...... 8 4.1.1 Potential Users...... 8 4.1.2 Assessm ent of Dem and...... 10 4.1.3 Strategic Factors ...... 10 4.1.4 Strategic Options ...... 11 4.2 Outdoor M ultipurpose Facility ...... 12 4.2.1 Current Facilities...... 12 4.2.2 Facility Upgrades ...... 12 4.2.3 Synthetic Athletics Track...... 12 4.2.4 Capacity to Share Facilities ...... 13 4.2.5 Views of Sport ...... 13 4.2.6 Options...... 14 4.3 Outdoor Floodlit Synthetic Facility...... 14 4.3.1 Synthetic Turf Surfaces ...... 14 4.3.2 Potential Use ...... 17 4.3.3 Potential Locations ...... 17 4.3.4 Sum m ary...... 18 5 STRATEGIC PLAN...... 19 5.1 Overview ...... 19 5.2 M ajor Projects...... 20 5.2.1 M ultipurpose Floodlit Synthetic Playing Field...... 20 5.2.2 M ultipurpose Indoor Sports Centre...... 20 5.2.3 Synthetic Track and Field Facility...... 21 5.2.4 Upgrade to Traeger Park...... 21 5.3 M inor Projects...... 22 5.3.1 Traeger Park Basketball ...... 22 5.3.2 Traeger Park Oval ...... 22 5.3.3 Traeger Park Tennis ...... 22 5.3.4 Traeger Park Hockey ...... 22 5.3.5 Traeger Park Baseball...... 22

M aster Plan for Sporting Facilities

5.3.6 Ross Park Netball...... 23 5.3.7 Ross Park Soccer...... 23 5.3.8 CDU Oval...... 23 5.3.9 Albrecht Oval ...... 23 5.3.10 Flynn Park...... 23 5.3.11 Anzac Oval ...... 23 5.3.12 Rhonda Diano O val ...... 23 5.3.13 Jim M cConville Oval ...... 24 5.3.14 Flynn Drive Oval ...... 24 5.3.15 Other...... 24

M aster Plan for Sporting Facilities

1 I N T R O DU C T I O N

1.1 BACKGROUND

Alice Springs is well serviced by a num ber of sporting facilities owned and m aintained by Alice Springs Town Council. Equity of access to, and participation in, sport and recreation is a vital com ponent of Council’s corporate strategy. Consequently, Council is conscious of the need to periodically review the growing needs of sports as they contribute to social inclusiveness, com m unity purpose, com m unity wellbeing and the local econom y.

The Northern Territory Governm ent and Council have a valuable and fruitful relationship, which results in securing sporting facilities to m eet sporting needs available in Alice Springs and throughout the Central Australian region.

Council has also established the Sports Facilities Advisory Com m ittee (SFAC) which provides the opportunity for sporting users to conduct their sport within their approved Council facility in a safe and equitable m anner. SFAC also adm inisters a Trust Fund, into which sporting groups pay annually and com piles an annual budget and works plan facility developm ent in consultation with sporting groups. In recent years it has becom e apparent that the standard of som e facilities is no longer adequate for use by both perm anent and casual users.

In addition a num ber of new or redeveloped facilities have been m ooted in Alice Springs including:

1 Stage Five of the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre, to include a m ulti-purpose indoor facility to be built adjacent to the existing outdoor pool. It can cater for indoor sports such as gym nastics, m artial arts and table tennis.

2 A m ultipurpose venue for rectangular field sports with athletics track and am enities.

3 Com pletion of the Traeger Park com plex.

Council now wishes to review the developm ent and m anagem ent of facilities, building on existing planning and projects, current needs analysis and potential investm ent over the next five to ten years.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

To prepare a com prehensive 5 – 10 year m aster plan for the developm ent and upgrade of existing and new Council owned facilities and provide a com prehensive strategy for the planning, developm ent and operation of these facilities through to 2019.

It is expected that the m aster plan will report on: ° Population growth ° Sports participation growth, including industry trends ° Recent dem ographic trends for the region, including indigenous participation, m ale and fem ale dom inated sporting trends and com parisons ° Sporting association growth and developm ent data ° Existing developm ent plans, including the Traeger Park M aster Plan ° Recent developm ent plans subm itted to the SFAC by local sporting bodies ° Analyse usage levels of current facilities in order to assess actual need

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The quality of the M aster Plan should be such that the ASTC can develop a strategic developm ent agenda for sporting facilities in Alice Springs through to 2015, drawing out opportunities, barriers and costs associated with projected options.

1.3 M ETHODOLOGY

The preparation of the m aster plan was undertaken over four phases:

Phase 1: Inception M eeting and Situation Analysis 1 Project Clarification 2 Sports Facilities Advisory Com m ittee W orkshop 3 Review docum ents 4 Operational Review 5 Site Inspection Phase 2: Consultation and Research 1 Council Interviews 2 Sporting Association and Club Interviews 3 Interviews W ith Other Stakeholders 4 Schools 5 Sporting Group W orkshops 6 Public Subm issions 7 Dem ographic Analysis 8 Trends in Sport and Recreation Participation Phase 3: Needs Assessm ent 1 Dem and Analysis Report 2 Feasibility Investigations 3 Feasibility Reports Phase 4: Final Report 1 Draft Sporting Facilities M aster Plan 2 Presentation 3 Final Report

1.4 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT

This Sporting Facilities M aster Plan presents the findings and recom m endations of the study, particularly the feasibility investigations conducted in Phase 3.

It is based on the inform ation collected, analysed and presented in the Dem and Analysis Report, which reflects the results of the investigations conducted in Phases 1 and 2.

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2 EXI S T I N G S I T U A T I O N

This chapter reviews the m ain findings presented in the Dem and Analysis Report. It is prim arily a sum m ary of existing facilities and the sporting scene.

2.1 ASSESSM ENT OF EXISTING FACILITIES

Based on the outcom es of discussions with a range of sport’s stakeholders and after reviewing the available Developm ent Plans, a series of general observations are apparent: ° W hen Alice Springs Town Council was incorporated in 1971, the NT Governm ent upgraded all sporting facilities. Since that tim e very few new facilities have been constructed. Although facilities have been m aintained, m any have reached the end of their effective life, as they do not m eet contem porary standards. For exam ple people with disabilities do not have com plete and easy access to all facilities and buildings. ° Significant funds are required to renovate sports facility buildings to m eet current building codes. Hence it m ay be cost effective to dem olish and rebuild m any buildings. ° Flood lighting of outdoor m ultipurpose sports facilities is not adequate to cater for dem and, particularly for winter training (eg soccer and Australian rules football) and sum m er com petitions and training (eg athletics). ° M ost outdoor sports facilities lack adequate shade, and inappropriate and/or substandard toilets and change room s. ° Adequate playing fields are available for com petition and training for all sports, although som e lack adequate infrastructure (eg floodlighting at Albrecht Oval) or are sub standard (eg am enities at Rhonda Diano Oval). ° Alice Springs caters for m ost “m ainstream ” sports. Each sport, except athletics, has a facility which when constructed was adequate to cater for high standard com petition (eg Territory Cham pionships, interstate com petition and international com petition). ° Alice Springs has lim ited fem ale, outdoor sport facilities (eg netball is land locked and cannot be expanded, and toilets and change room s for softball and wom en’s soccer are inadequate). ° Alice Springs has two m ajor outdoor playing field facilities; Traeger Park and Anzac Oval. W hilst, Traeger Park has the necessary facilities to cater for all codes of football and , only Australian rules football and cricket have declared a desire to use it for m ajor events. Both soccer and rugby have declared a preference to use Anzac Oval for m ajor events, and consider Traeger O val inappropriate.

2.2 TENURE ARRANGEM ENTS

Council has attem pted to standardise tenure arrangem ents at all its sporting facilities with lim ited success. Recently, Council has com m enced negotiations with sports regarding a new licence agreem ent. The principal term s of this licence include: ° Sports will have exclusive use of clubroom s for their respective seasons – this will apply to Australian rules football at Traeger Park and Albrecht Oval, soccer at Ross Park, touch at Flynn Oval, rugby union and league at Anzac Oval, softball and junior baseball at Jim M cConville Oval, cricket at Albrecht Oval, hockey at Traeger Park baseball at Traeger Park, netball at Ross Park and athletics at Rhonda Diano O val. ° Exclusive use of club room s will require sports to clean and undertake m inor

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m aintenance of the building. ° Sports using m ultipurpose facilities, such as Flynn O val, Traeger Park, Jim M cConville Oval, Rhonda Diano Oval and Albrecht Oval will have access to change room s and toilets. ° Cleaning of m ulti use facilities will be negotiated on a case by case basis between Council and each sport. ° Council will m aintain all playing fields and turf wickets, and negotiate m aintenance of specific purpose surfaces (eg tennis, hockey, baseball, softball, basketball and netball) on a case by case basis. ° Sports will not pay to use sporting facilities, except for the cost of floodlighting, and will contribute a participation levy to a Trust Fund m anaged by the Sports Facilities Advisory Com m ittee.

Overall, there are significant inconsistencies in the form al and inform al tenure agreem ents Council has with each sport. A consistent approach is required which is fair and equitable, which Council is attem pting to rectify with new tenure agreem ents.

2.3 PARTICIPATION LEVY

Council has established a Sports Facilities Trust Fund, with contributions from Council and participating sports (ie those using Council sports facilities). Sports contribute based on registered m em bership ($8.30 and $24.35 for junior and senior m em bers, respectively). Funds are used to develop and upgrade Council’s sporting facilities.

Table 2.1 sum m arises the participation levy invoiced to each sport for the last three years. It clearly identifies the five m ost popular sports in Alice Springs – netball, soccer, football, cricket and basketball. Table 2.1: Participation Levy

Sport 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total Netball $8,061.82 $8,116.36 $9,966.55 $26,144.73 Football (soccer) $6,495.00 $7,144.50 $7,858.95 $21,498.45 Cricket $5,236.36 $5,380.36 $5,866.36 $16,483.08 AFL $9,376.50 $6,156.00 $5,814.00 $9,977.70 $31,324.20 Basketball $4,835.45 $5,319.00 $10,595.18 $13,104.05 $33,853.68 Touch $3,482.18 $3,640.00 $3,772.36 $10,894.54 Tennis $2,795.91 $2,354.77 $2,303.05 $7,453.73 $2,156.36 $2,297.00 $2,443.64 $6,897.00 Hockey $2,568.00 $2,250.00 $1,904.73 $6,722.73 Baseball $1,754.55 $1,950.00 $2,181.82 $5,886.37 Slo-Pitch(1) $5,000.00 Rugby Union $1,360.00 $1,280.00 $1,378.91 $4,018.91 Softball (2) $1,600.00 $1,760.00 No com p $3,360.00 Athletics $300.00 $462.27 $462.27 $1,224,54 (1) Levy for period 2004 – 2008 (2) No com petition was conducted in 2008

2.4 SUM M ARY

Based on data collected during the dem and assessm ent phase of the m aster plan, som e key points em erge:

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1 M ost sporting facilities in Alice Springs require upgrading to m eet contem porary standards.

2 M ore floodlit facilities are needed to cater for winter sports’ training and to provide venues for night tim e sum m er sport.

3 Strategies are required to ensure the sustainability of sport in Alice Springs. Sustainability relates to use of resources and the ongoing cost to provide sporting opportunities.

4 Feasibility assessm ents are required to address the dem and for and cost of providing facilities such as: ° M ultipurpose indoor sports centre ° All weather track and field facility ° M ultipurpose, floodlit, synthetic training facility for field sports ° Hockey and tennis facilities which com ply with contem porary standards

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3 S P O R T I N G F A C I L I T I ES O BJEC T I VES

This Chapter reviews Councils vision and goals, and the relationship between these and the provision of sporting facilities.

3.1 COUNCIL’S GOALS

Council has five strategic focus areas with specific goals and outcom es, based on its Vision, M ission and Core Values.

3.1.1 Vision, M ission and Core Values

Vision Alice Springs Town Council’s vision is for a vibrant and growing com m unity that em braces its cultural heritage, its unique identity and desert living environm ent.

M ission Through innovative leadership and good governance, Alice Springs Town Council will provide services to m eet the present and changing needs of our com m unity.

Core Values The Alice Springs Town Council will be recognised and appreciated by its residents and visitors as valuing: ° Strong Leadership ° Clear Com m unication ° Integrity ° Custom er service ° Response and Contribution to the Com m unity ° Transparency and Accountability

3.1.2 Goals and Outcom es

Council’s five strategic focus areas, and their associated goals and outcom es are:

Econom ic A growing and dynam ic econom ic base underpinning strong em ploym ent. ° A diversified and strong local econom y ° Custom er focussed culture to service delivery ° Growing regional provider of services

Com m unity Support A united, supportive and healthy com m unity. ° Coordinated and effective com m unity services ° Im proved com m unity health and well being ° Reduced anti social behaviour ° Greater opportunities for our youth

Environm ent To lead in the m anagem ent of its arid land natural resources. ° A clean and attractive town ° Preservation of natural and built environm ent ° M ore efficient use of energy and water

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Culture and Heritage A com m unity proud of its Indigenous heritage and pioneer history. ° Enhanced com m unity spirit and pride ° Im proved cultural awareness and understanding ° Preservation of unique identity

Organisation An organisation dedicated to good governance, effective leadership & provision of high quality services. Goal O utcom es ° Skilled, com m itted and professional staff ° Effective com m unication and consultation with the Com m unity ° Custom er service culture

3.2 SPORTING FACILITIES GOALS

The provision of sporting facilities helps Council to m eet all five of its goals and related outcom es. Elaborating upon each set of outcom es, a suite of specific sporting facility goals em erge:

Econom ic ° Sporting facilities which contribute to econom ic growth and developm ent through the hosting of events which attract visitors to Alice Springs ° Sporting facilities which cater for the needs of residents and the region

Com m unity Support ° Sporting facilities which im prove com m unity health and well being ° Sporting facilities which encourage participation and reduced anti social behaviour ° Sporting facilities which increase participation opportunities for young people

Environm ent ° Sporting facilities which are environm entally sustainable

Culture and Heritage ° Sporting facilities which enhance com m unity spirit and pride ° Sporting facilities which assist in im proving cultural awareness and understanding ° Sporting facilities which assist in the preservation of the unique identity of Alice Springs

Organisation ° Sporting facilities which are used and developed in consultation with the com m unity

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4 F EA S I BI L I T Y I N VES T I G A T I O N S

This chapter reviews the investigations undertaken into the needs for an indoor m ultipurpose venue, outdoor m ultipurpose facility for field sports and outdoor floodlit synthetic facility.

4.1 INDOOR M ULTIPURPOSE VENUE

Council has previously identified the developm ent of a m ultipurpose indoor facility as Stage 2 of the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre. It is envisaged the facility will accom m odate indoor “fringe” sports including gym nastics, m artial arts and table tennis, which have difficulty obtaining suitable venues.

4.1.1 Potential Users

Telephone interviews were conducted with sporting clubs and groups which are potential users of a m ultipurpose indoor facility.

M uay Thai

° M uay Thai is a com m ercially operated m artial arts organisation.

° Currently operates out of the Anzac Youth Centre – based on a weekly agreem ent/arrangem ent. From m id Decem ber 2009 it will relocate back to the YM CA. 15 – 20 classes are offered per m onth, and rent of $1,000/m onth is paid.

° Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

° Facilities required is a flat floor of at least 100m 2,that is able to have m etre square jigsaw m ats (30m m in depth) placed on it. It is preferable that the facility that can be set up “perm anently” for M uay Thai.

Gym nastics

° Two gym nastics clubs are based in Alice Springs. The Alice Springs G ym nastics Club operates out of the Charles Darwin University’s gym nasium . The club currently pays $30,000 per annum which equates to $150/session as seven sessions are conducted per week.

° Prepared to pay a higher rental if som e gym nastics equipm ent was perm itted to be set up perm anently.

° The m ain session is on Saturday (9am to 3.30pm ) which attracts approxim ately 200 m em bers. In addition 2 – 3 sessions are offered during the week. The club offers: W om en’s Artistic, M en’s Artistic, Beginner G ym nastics and General or Recreational Gym nastics.

° Gym nasts can only proceed to Level 4 due to the facilities available to them . To offer program s higher than Level 4 will involve considerable risk to the gym nasts.

° W ith the appropriate gym nastics facility, ideally including a foam pit, increased developm ent and elite program s could be conducted.

° Specific facilities required include a sprung wooden floor; pull out floor (goes over the existing flooring to prevent dam age); foam pit, auditorium for spectators (currently attracts up to 300 spectators for the Territory Cham pionships).

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° W ould like to have the m ajority of gym nastics equipm ent perm anently set up rather than having to pack up and set up for each session. If required to pack up equipm ent, it will require considerable storage space.

° The club has acquired $170,000 in savings for a new facility.

° The club is currently preparing a feasibility study regarding the developm ent of a new facility for gym nastics in Alice Springs.

Netball

° Currently use eight outdoor courts at Ross Park, and use the indoor basketball courts for two rounds during the school holidays, each year.

° Currently pay approxim ately $10,000 pa to use the Ross Park courts. Prepared to pay m ore for indoor courts with sprung tim ber floors.

° W ith the aid of the NT Netball Developm ent Officer an indoor facility would enable expansion of junior developm ent program s.

° Netball want a purpose built facility within the next 15 years at a m ore appropriate location than Ross Park.

Table Tennis

° Currently operate from the Alice Springs High School gym nasium . It is a m ultipurpose hall and equipm ent is stored in an adjacent storeroom between sessions. However, lighting is not of a suitable standard.

° Currently pay $11 per hour when the lighting is operating. Table tennis is willing to pay m ore for a facility with 4 or m ore tables be set up on a sem i perm anent basis.

° Activities are conducted on Tuesday evening (practice and com petition), Thursday evening (com petition), Sunday late afternoon (coaching) and school holiday coaching clinics

° If a new facility was constructed, would expect to develop a school com petition, introduce weekend coaching sessions and prom ote general public use. If tables were set up perm anently, sessions could be increased to four days week, plus school holidays.

° Require adequate storage facilities if the tables have to be dism antled.

° To accom m odate barriers, tables and ancillary equipm ent requires an area of approxim ately 40 – 50 m 2 for each table.

° Long term aim of table tennis is to purchase a facility suitable for perm anent set up of equipm ent. The Association has been putting funding aside on an annual basis for this purpose.

Volleyball

° Currently use the school gym at Centralian Senior College. It is a large hall with provisions for two indoor volleyball courts.

° Pay $66/session (up to six hours) and $110/day for tournam ents. Prepared to pay a little m ore for a new and/or better facility.

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° Players pay a seasonal fee to play i.e. no paym ent on the night you play (although they are charged a nom inal fee for training). Fees are: Senior - $135, Junior - $85.

° Activities are conducted on W ednesday night (com petition) and Sunday afternoon(training).

° Require a sprung wooden floor with appropriate run off areas, with space for at least two courts.

Badm inton

° Currently use 4 badm inton courts at the YM CA.

° 12 M onth m em bership for players is Adults $40 Juniors $25 and Fam ily $75.

° Activities are one night per week for social play and one night per week for com petition during the colder m onths.

° Current m em bership is relatively low, and “winding up” the club is actively being considered.

° Happy with the current facilities and arrangem ent at the YM CA.

Futsal

° Discussions with football (soccer) provided little useful inform ation regarding the introduction of futsal or rebound soccer to Alice Springs. Football in Central Australia appears to be focussed on the outdoor gam e.

4.1.2 Assessm ent of Dem and

Consultation with potential users has identified two distinct types of users and activities:

1 Sports which require a sprung tim ber floor such as netball, volleyball and futsal, and

2 Sports which require an area perm anently set up for their specific activity, such as gym nastics and table tennis.

W ithin Alice Springs all indoor sports are adequately catered for, with existing facilities. However, these facilities and their availability is not ideal.

4.1.3 Strategic Factors

In developing a strategic options for a m ultipurpose indoor centre the following factors have to be considered:

1 Netball was originally an outdoor sport, but in recent years all elite netball is played on an indoor court. M ore netball associations are m oving to indoor courts due to better court surfaces which create less stress on players joints, they are not affected by weather conditions and allow play outside of daylight hours.

2 Netball is likely to be the “anchor” sport in a m ultipurpose sports centre, as it has a large player base. The m ain determ inant will be the extent to which netball transfers its com petitions from Ross Park to an indoor facility.

3 The current netball courts at Ross Park are land locked, hence expansion is restricted. It also has car parking problem s. Consequently, any growth in the sport will require relocation to another site.

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4 Futsal or the rebound version of indoor soccer is one of the fastest growing indoor sports in Australia. It has becom e possibly the m ajor activity in m any m ultipurpose indoor sports centres. It is likely that indoor soccer will gain im m ediate popularity if it is established and m anaged in a professional m anner.

5 Volleyball, badm inton and table tennis tend to have lower participation than the three m ajor indoor sports of basketball, netball and soccer. They are heavily dependent upon having key people who “drive” the sport.

6 As the m ain users, netball and indoor soccer are likely to be the m ain sources of revenue for an indoor sports centre.

7 Ideally table tennis will have perm anently set up tables. However, the am ount of use is relatively low, hence it is likely a substantial num ber of tim e slots will not have any use. In other words the tables will be set up and not used. Table tennis is unlikely to be a significant revenue generator for an indoor sports centre.

8 Gym nastics uses large and expensive pieces of equipm ent. It is tim e consum ing and m anpower intensive to set up and pack away gym nastics equipm ent. Continually setting up and packing away equipm ent reduces the life of gym nastics equipm ent. A pit with foam filling is needed to enable gym nasts to train and learn difficult and dangerous m anoeuvres. A pit is needed for elite gym nasts.

9 Gym nastics tend to be intensive users of a dedicated gym nastic facility. They often train 5 or m ore days per week, particularly when they reach the higher levels of com petition. Gym nastic clubs tend to have the financial resources to adequately m aintain a dedicated facility.

4.1.4 Strategic Options

Based on these factors significant benefits will be derived from developing an indoor, m ultipurpose facility which incorporates a dedicated gym nastics hall and/or a sports hall with at least two courts suitable for netball and/or m ultipurpose room suitable for activities such as exercise and m artial arts classes.

A facility can be designed to be constructed in stages, and should have capacity to expand to at least four, the num ber of courts in the sports hall. [Note: Netball is the largest sport court size and can therefore accom m odate basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball and badm inton.]

If Alice Springs and Traeger Park were “green field” sites, rather than fully developed, it is likely that planning for indoor sports facilities would integrate the basketball stadium , aquatic centre and gym nastics hall. It is likely to include “independent” m anagem ent, as occurs with the aquatic centre, and m ultiuse of the sports hall. It would also have provided for expansion of the basketball sports hall as dem and increased.

This scenario is not possible, although a m odified version is still an option. This option requires the relocation of the tennis courts and the expansion of the basketball stadium by the construction of an additional two courts and a gym nastics hall. It will also require the introduction of an independent m anagem ent m odel, as opposed to m anagem ent by basketball. It will require tennis to relocate to another site (possibly near the aquatic centre on and around Speed Street) which allows for expansion as dem and for tennis grows with population increases. This option will require substantial negotiation to satisfy the needs of all sports. It is unlikely to occur without the goodwill and cooperation of all stakeholders. The benefits of this option will have to be dem onstrated to all stakeholders.

An alternative solution is the establish a new m ultipurpose indoor centre as stage 2 of the

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aquatic centre. The m ain issue will be to ensure there is adequate land available for the proposed facility and capacity to increase the num ber of sports halls as the population of Alice Springs increases. This m ay be best achieved by constructing the indoor centre on the existing car park on Speed Street and integrating the entrance to the aquatic centre and the indoor sports centre. The car parking m ay be relocated to the eastern side of the m ain 50m pool.

4.2 OUTDOOR M ULTIPURPOSE FACILITY

It has been suggested that Alice Springs needs a sim ilar facility as Traeger Park to cater for the needs of rectangular sports, including a synthetic athletics track around the m ultipurpose pitch.

4.2.1 Current Facilities

Current facilities in Alice Springs cater for the com m unity com petition needs of all outdoor, rectangular field sports, including rugby union, rugby league, football (soccer) and touch. Each sport has adequate playing facilities for both local com m unity com petitions and events such as the M asters Gam es.

W hen events are conducted which attract visiting interstate team s, such as A League or NRL, they can be readily accom m odated at Anzac O val, Ross Park or Traeger Park. The choice of venue will depend upon whether the m atch will be televised and the expected num ber of spectators.

It is appreciated that Traeger Park is not ideal for rectangular field sports such as football and rugby. However, it m ust be noted that m ajor, international fixtures for both football and rugby have been conducted in both Adelaide O val and M elbourne Cricket Ground. Consequently, it m ust be concluded that whist it is less than ideal, Traeger Park m eets the appropriate facility standards for these sports. As with Adelaide and M elbourne, Traeger Park should only be used for m ajor events when large num ber of spectators are expected.

4.2.2 Facility Upgrades

Although current playing facilities are adequate for rectangular field sports, player, official and spectator am enities require upgrading, particularly at Anzac Oval. Specific upgrades include the change room s and toilets for players and officials, public toilets for spectators and both seating and shade for spectators.

4.2.3 Synthetic Athletics Track

In assessing the need for, and possible location of, a synthetic athletics track in Alice Springs, the following factors have to be considered:

° An 8 lane athletics track cannot be accom m odated at either Anzac oval or Traeger Park without m ajor disruption to existing users. At Anzac Oval the reserve is not wide enough to install an athletics track around the playing field. At Traeger Park, an athletics track will reduce the playing field to less than that required for cricket or football.

° A track and field facility can be accom m odated at sporting facilities such as Rhonda Diano Oval, Jim M cConville Oval and Albrecht Oval. It will result in the rem oval of cricket from each of these venues.

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° Track and field is unlikely to attract large a num ber of spectators to events. M ost spectators will be parents, friends or relatives of com petitors. Consequently, only m inim al spectator facilities will be required.

° Athletics has very few participants in Alice Springs. The num ber of registered players for the three years was 44, 88 and 70. Som e increase in num bers can be expected if a new facility was constructed. However, the increase is not likely to be large.

° M ost athletics m em bers are junior (ie com pete in Little Athletics). Very few little athletics clubs throughout Australia have synthetic facilities at their hom e base.

° Som e additional use m ay be expected from groups such as triathlon and road runner m em bers. However, given these participants tend to run over longer distances, they are likely to prefer longer runs, rather than running around a track.

° The track and field events at the M asters Gam es are currently held on a grass track. Obviously they will be transferred to the synthetic track. It is likely that the Northern Territory cham pionships will be attracted to Alice Springs on a biannual basis if a synthetic track is constructed. It is unlikely that other m ajor events will be attracted to Alice Springs on a regular basis, although one off events will be attracted to the new facility. Consequently, the econom ic im pact is likely to be m inim al.

° The cost of a synthetic 8 lane athletics track and associated field facilities will be at least $2 m illion. This excludes bulk earthworks and associated am enities such as toilets and change room s.

° Depending upon use the inside lane(s) will usually be required to be resurfaced within 5 years and the whole track m ay need resurfacing in 12 – 15 years.

4.2.4 Capacity to Share Facilities

M ost sports in Alice Springs have dem onstrated a desire to share facilities for m ajor events, which have m ajor com m unity benefits. Probably the best exam ple is the M asters Gam es. However, the sam e level of cooperation and sharing does not occur on a week to week basis. M ost sports are very protective towards their own facilities and discourage shared use, except on a seasonal basis or when sharing does not im pact on their sport.

Therefore the developm ent of a m ultipurpose outdoor rectangular sports facility (with or without track and field) will require substantial negotiation between potential user sports to ensure equitable access to the facility.

4.2.5 Views of Sport

Athletics prefer a central location and has suggested land im m ediately behind the Casino (zoned Tourism ). Also support the area south of the Gap as a suitable location. It believes the creation of an outdoor m ultipurpose rectangular field with an athletics track around it is an im perative for Alice Springs and can only result in a positive outcom e for all relevant sports.

Touch considers Anzac O val the best location, although a site south of the Gap m ay be satisfactory given the new housing developm ent.

Rugby League and Rugby Union have sim ilar views. They are not keen to support such a facility unless it could be located at Anzac O val. They have som e concern over the inclusion of an athletics track due to potential injury to players when taking part in training and tackling drills on the infield i.e. could overrun the field and land on the track. The Associations does not recognise the need to m ove from Anzac Oval.

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Football (soccer) would prefer the developm ent and use of Anzac oval for m ajor m atches.

4.2.6 Options

Council has few options regarding the provision of a m ultipurpose rectangular field sport facility. M ost sports do not want to use Traeger Park for m ajor events, and would prefer to use Anzac Oval, despite its spectator am enity lim itations.

Developing a synthetic track and field facility at any of the existing sporting reserves will result in the dislocation of existing users. However, given the low level of use, it would be suited to developm ent at a reserve in a residential area, such as Rhonda Diano Oval. It could also be established at a secondary school, such as Alice Springs High School. If this occurred it would create a m ajor sporting hub at the school and the adjacent Jim M cConville Oval.

4.3 OUTDOOR FLOODLIT SYNTHETIC FACILITY

During the consultations two related deficiencies have been identified with the existing provision of sporting facilities:

° Lack of floodlit areas for training for field ball sports. For exam ple one football team has to train on the outfield of the baseball diam ond at Traeger Park.

° Over use of existing floodlit playing fields. For exam ple football team s are not perm itted to train on Traeger Park.

To overcom e both deficiencies it is possible to floodlight m ore than one sports facility, such as Albrecht Oval and Jim M cConville Oval. This solution will spread the playing load, although the increased use will increase m aintenance costs, but not to the sam e extent as if only one oval is floodlit.

If only one oval is floodlit it is likely that it will be overused, resulting in deterioration of the playing surface. Overuse m ay be counteracted by substantially increasing the level and quality of m aintenance. It will require m ore water and increased use of fertilisers and nutrients. It m ay also require returfing with a m ore robust grass. Essentially, it will result in increased m aintenance costs. It m ay also deteriorate the playing surface for weekly sports com petitions.

An alternative solution is to establish a m ultipurpose, floodlit synthetic turf playing field.

4.3.1 Synthetic Turf Surfaces

Research into synthetic playing surfaces has included direct consultation with Rick Aylett (AFL), Keith M cAuliffe (New Zealand Sports Turf Institute) and Dam ian Larosa (Business Developm ent M anager Victoria - TigerTurf as well as research via the Internet (including web sites for the International Rugby Board, Football Federation Australia and Australian Football League)

AFL/Cricket Rick Aylett is a consultant to the AFL regarding the investigation and introduction of synthetic turf playing fields for both Australian Rules Football and cricket.

The University of Ballarat was com m issioned by the AFL, Cricket Australia, Victorian State Governm ent and JLT Trustees (insurers) to undertake a research project to establish a set of

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criteria and standards for synthetic turf to replicate the playing characteristics of natural turf for Australian football and cricket. The study has been com pleted and a set of standards devised which has been agreed to by both the AFL and Cricket Australia.

Three synthetic turf producers in Australia have been licensed by the AFL and CA to m anufacture and install full sized AFL fields (with a cricket wicket): TigerTurf Sports Technology International Team Sports

AFL fields (and associated standards) are targeted to com m unity through to state league level (not the elite com petition). The first field in Australia is set to be constructed in the City of W yndham (Victoria) early in 2010. The City of M elbourne is planning to install (in Holland Park) an area of 10,000m 2 of synthetic grass for training purposes.

Table 4,1 sum m arises the cost com parison between natural and synthetic turf as presented by Rick Aylett to the Sports M edicine Association National Conference October 2009. The figures are based on a soccer pitch at 7,500 m 2 and expanded to 15,000 m 2 for an average size com m unity oval. The am ounts have been expanded by a factor of 1.65 as the investigation identified econom ies of scale when installing a larger size playing field and costs are not doubled because the playing field is twice the size. Installation and annual m aintenance was factored at 1.65 and equipm ent costs rem ained the sam e.

This table dem onstrates that over 8 years, synthetic turf costs $409,000 less than natural turf and provides 9,120 m ore hours of use.

Table 4.1: Cost Com parison Between Natural and Synthetic

Natural Turf Synthetic Turf Installation cost (inc sub base construction $212,000 $841,000 Equipm ent cost $131,000 $55,000 M aintenance cost $178,000 $15,000 Lifespan cost $1,772,000 $1,022,000 Lifespan cost – expanded (15,000 m 2) $2,059,000 $1,650,000 Hours of use over 8 years 7,520 16,640

Football (soccer) and Rugby The IRB has had a set of standards in place for som e tim e with international rugby m atches having been played on synthetic turf in the UK, Hong Kong and New Zealand (Auckland has a new pitch).

College Rifles Rugby Union Club (Auckland) opened its new synthetic field (IRB approved) in M arch this year. Reports from players and referees regarding the surface has been very positive.

Num erous studies have been conducted by health authorities/organisations in the USA to determ ine if there are any detrim ental health effects as a result of com ing in to contact with synthetic surfaces and m ore particularly the “underlay” and m aterial used to fill som e of the turfs.

Other concerns raised about the use of synthetic grass for sport and recreational purposes is that surface tem peratures are higher than natural turf. According to a study undertaken by the University of Nevada Las Vegas suggests artificial turf m ay be too hot for sum m er play

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(Jan 16, 2009, Athletic Turf News), surface tem peratures on artificial turf far exceed those of other surfaces, significantly lim iting recreational use during the sum m er m onths.

According to New Zealand Sports Turf Institute, any natural turf playing field that supports over 25 hours use per week, should consider the m erits of synthetic turf (obviously dependent on the local conditions).

From a football (soccer) perspective, the Darebin International Sports Centre (Victoria) includes 3 FIFA accredited synthetic pitches (including lighting) which were laid in 2005 and, according to the Football Federation Victoria, have been a resounding success with players and officials alike.

Indicative costs for the pitches (in 2007) were between $600,000 and $800,000 + GST (inclusive of fencing and flood lighting).

Annual m aintenance costs average between $7,500 and $10,000 + GST per annum .

Darebin International Sports Centre – Soccer fields Tiger Turf Tiger Turf is a m ajor synthetic turf m anufacturers in Australia (and throughout the world). It has installed num erous m ultipurpose fields for sporting clubs/organisations and schools. Currently, the com pany is installing two full size soccer fields (FIFA approved and fully lit) in to Albert Park (M elbourne) to be used predom inantly by soccer, touch and ultim ate Frisbee.

Cost of the m ultipurpose turf vary depending on local conditions such as the underlying surface.

Approxim ate cost per m 2: $35.00 Approxim ate cost for a full size (soccer dim ensions) field: $700,000

These costs for synthetic turf can vary depending on the base and sub-base construction required and are determ ined on a case by case basis depending on geo-tech reports. This also applies to natural turf.

Benefits of Synthetic Turf Advantages of a synthetic playing surface (over natural turf) include:

° Increased playing hours

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° Saving on groundsm an tim e

° Greatly reduced m aintenance

° Huge water savings - 3rd generation turfs (apart from hockey) do not require water

° Saving on fertiliser

° A prem ium playing surface in all weather conditions

Environm ental benefits of artificial turf include:

° No water required

° No pesticides required

° No chem icals required

° No fertilisers required

° Reduction in use of fuel powered m aintenance equipm ent

° Cleaner such as bleach and soap not required to rem ove turf stains on clothing

The types of synthetic turf used will vary between sports and in the case of a m ultipurpose solution, the pile used will not be specifically designed for a particular sport i.e. it will provide a com prom ise between a num ber of sports.

4.3.2 Potential Use

The installation of synthetic turf has largely been in response to drought conditions in the eastern states, particularly in Victoria. The dry conditions resulted in hard turf surfaces which are m ore likely to cause injury and deterioration of the playing surface, as the level of m aintenance was less than required for the level of use. It has been found that synthetic turf surfaces have the capacity for a m uch higher level and intensity of use than turf surfaces.

In Alice Springs a synthetic turf playing field can be used for:

° All field ball sports – football (soccer), rugby union, rugby league, Australian rules football, cricket and touch.

° Training and com petition

The m ajor constraints are the capital developm ent cost and the size of the synthetic turf playing field. If developed, it can be program m ed to be used seven days per week for a wide range of sporting activities.

4.3.3 Potential Locations

As the potential benefits do not outweigh the disadvantages, it is unlikely that the turf areas at Traeger Park, Anzac O val, Ross Park and Flynn Park would be replaced with synthetic turf and designated as a m ultipurpose sporting facility.

° Traeger Park is the m ajor Australian rule football and internationally accredited cricket oval.

° Anzac Oval is the hom e of rugby and is used for com m unity events.

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° Ross Park is the hom e of football (soccer), and has restrictions on the use of floodlights.

° Flynn Oval is the hom e of touch and is used by other sports for training. It is already floodlit and well used.

Of the rem aining four ovals (Albrecht, CDU, Jim M cConville and Rhonda Diano), each has the potential to be redeveloped as a synthetic turf oval. However, Jim M cConville m ay be the best site as it is:

° A m ultipurpose facility with an oval, baseball and softball diam onds.

° Adjacent to Alice Springs High School.

° The largest sporting facility in Alice Springs, when the playing fields at Alice Springs High School are included.

° Not surrounded by residences, which m ay be affected by light spill from floodlights.

4.3.4 Sum m ary

A floodlit, synthetic turf playing field of at least 7,500 m 2 will provide training facilities for all football codes, plus touch. The area can also be used for football (soccer) and rugby com petitions. An area of 15,000 m 2 will be required to cater for Australian rules football.

Developm ent of a floodlit, synthetic turf playing field at Jim M cConville Oval will convert this sporting reserve into a m ajor sporting reserve in Alice Springs, and the second m ost versatile facility after Traeger Park.

A detailed business plan will be required to assess the financial viability of the proposal.

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5 S T R A T EG I C P L A N

This chapter presents a strategic plan for the provision of new and upgrade of existing sporting facilities in Alice Springs.

5.1 OVERVIEW

Alice Springs has an excellent array of sporting facilities catering for m ost indoor and outdoor sports. Council with the support of the Territory and Federal G overnm ent has continued to upgrade m any facilities to m eet contem porary standards. For exam ple, Traeger Park, Ross Park and the Aquatic Centre have all had m ajor upgrades in recent years.

W hilst these upgrades have occurred, basic facilities to enable com m unity sport to function effectively have to be upgraded to m eet contem porary standards. A significant issue confronting sporting Alice Springs is the relative im portance of catering for the needs of week to week com m unity sport com pared with the need to provide facilities which m eet the needs of elite sports. In sim plistic term s this m eans a decision as to whether it is m ore im portant to upgrade, say Traeger Park to provide floodlighting to television standards or providing floodlighting to ovals which are used for training and local sports com petitions.

Com plicating issues include:

1 Sports in Alice Springs have an expectation that the “Governm ent” (ie Federal, State or Local) will provide and m aintain its facilities.

2 Sports in Alice Springs have an expectation that they will have access to facilities of a sim ilar standard (albeit with sm aller spectator capacities) to capital cities.

3 Lack of interest in developing or using facilities outside The Gap.

4 Sports protecting their use of existing facilities, and unwillingness to consider alternative venues.

5 Lim ited cooperation between sports except for m ajor events such as the M asters Gam es.

Taking these issues into consideration, and based upon the goals outlined in section 3.1.2, priority should be given to upgrading or developing facilities which:

° Increase econom ic activity in Alice Springs.

° Increase safe participation in sporting activities.

° Increase participation by young people.

° Are environm entally and econom ically sustainable.

In determ ining priority developm ents the issue of funding sources becom e extrem ely im portant. W hilst som e projects m ay be funded from the Sports Facilities Trust Fund and Council’s recurrent operating budget, these will tend to be projects with a lower $ value. External funding from the Northern Territory and/or Federal G overnm ent will be needed to finance the developm ent of m ore costly facilities. Consequently, two sets of priorities m ay be required.

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5.2 M AJOR PROJECTS

Four m ajor projects have been identified, which can be readily justified based on dem and and gaps in the existing provision of sporting facilities: ° Upgrade to Traeger Park ° M ultipurpose floodlit synthetic playing field ° M ultipurpose indoor sports centre ° Synthetic track and field facility

Each potential project is assessed against the four criteria for determ ining priority as detailed in section 5.1.

5.2.1 M ultipurpose Floodlit Synthetic Playing Field

A m ajor gap in the provision of sporting facilities in Alice Springs is adequate floodlit training areas for all field ball sports. A floodlit area will allow for training after daylight hours in winter and sum m er. Subject to the area being large enough it can also be used for football (soccer) and rugby com petitions to com plem ent facilities at Ross Park and Anzac Oval.

In addition to filling a m ajor gap in existing provision, a synthetic pitch will allow m ore intensive use than a turf pitch. Hence it is likely to result in increased participation in physical activity. In particular it is expected to increase participation by young people. It is also both environm entally and econom ically sustainable.

A m ultipurpose floodlit synthetic playing field at Jim M cConville Oval is expected to be a heavily used facility.

This project is considered to be the highest priority m ajor project.

5.2.2 M ultipurpose Indoor Sports Centre

W hilst a m ultipurpose indoor sports centre can include a dedicated gym nastics area and a sports hall, they should be considered as two distinct projects, or stages within one developm ent.

Netball is the m ain indoor sport which does not have adequate facilities. It has traditionally been considered an outdoor sport, and is gradually converting to an indoor sport. Once an indoor facility is established it is likely to have as m any indoor team s and com petitions as basketball. Indoor soccer (futsal or rebound) is a m ajor growth sport in m any Australian com m unities, which does not have a significant presence in Alice Springs.

Relocation of netball from outdoors to indoors will not result in a significant increase in participation. It will however be a safer playing environm ent as it will be m uch m ore gentle on players joints, particularly knees. An indoor soccer venue is expected to result in increased participation, particularly am ong juniors.

A well designed m ultipurpose centre will also serve as a venue for Territory and National cham pionships, events and tournam ents for all indoor sports including volleyball and badm inton.

A dedicated gym nastics hall is required to increase the standard of participants in Alice Springs. The installation of a foam pit and perm anently set up equipm ent will also provide a safer training and learning environm ent for young people.

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A m ultipurpose indoor facility with a sports hall and gym nastics hall is expected to be a heavily used facility.

Given the problem s with the surface, size and expansion opportunities of the tennis courts, an opportunity exists to develop a long term solution:

1 Relocate the tennis courts to the area currently occupied by the Speed Street car park.

2 Relocate the Speed Street car park to the area east the m ain pool in the aquatic centre.

3 Construct a m ultipurpose indoor facility with a sports hall and gym nastics hall as an extension to the basketball stadium .

4 Reconfigure the m anagem ent of the redeveloped m ultipurpose indoor sports centre (including the existing courts), so that it is independent of any individual sport, whilst having representation from all sports on an equal basis.

These projects have sim ilar m erits and are significant gaps in the current provision of sporting facilities in Alice Springs. They are considered to be high priority m ajor projects.

5.2.3 Synthetic Track and Field Facility

A synthetic track and field facility does not exist in Alice Springs. The lack of such a facility is obviously a gap in existing provision. It will benefit the M asters gam es to host a track and field m eet on a synthetic facility. However, the num ber of senior athletes who will use the facility on a regular basis is very sm all.

W hereas Little Athletics will base itself at the synthetic facility, very few Little Athletics clubs have the luxury of a synthetic training facility. M ost Little Athletics (training and com petition) is conducted on grass.

A pragm atic, and fiscally prudent approach to developing synthetic facilities is to develop in stages. Additional com ponents can be added as dem and increases. Synthetic facilities for jum ps areas (long, high and triple) m ay be developed as a first stage. The next stage m ay involve a 400 m track with, say, 4 lanes. Additional lanes and 100 m track are added as a third stage. Javelin and steeplechase jum ps can be added as a final stage.

A com plete synthetic track and field facility has a high cost to establish and relatively low level of use, consequently it should be considered a low priority m ajor project.

5.2.4 Upgrade to Traeger Park

W orks include upgrading of floodlighting, com pletion of grandstand, redevelopm ent of change room s and offices and m inor works to im prove spectator am enity.

These works will reinforce Traeger Park as the prem ier outdoor sports facility in Alice Springs. W hilst it is suitable for all playing field sports, has the capacity to host large num bers of spectators, and accom m odate night gam es under floodlights, the rectangular field sports are reluctant to use it for m ajor events. As a consequence, these im provem ents will benefit two sports, Australian rules football and cricket.

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The im provem ents identified will not enhance the capacity of Traeger Park to increase participation in sport, nor is it likely to result in a significant increase in the num ber of m ajor events regularly attracted to Alice Springs.

This project is considered to be a low priority m ajor project.

5.3 M INOR PROJECTS

Each sport has identified a series of m inor projects which it deem s to be necessary. Each item has been classified as high, m edium or low priority, based on how it will assist in achieving Council’s goals.

5.3.1 Traeger Park Basketball

Installing em ergency exit stairs to m ezzanine floor Scheduled Com bining bar and kiosk area M edium Im prove spectator seating at the end of courts 2 and 3 Low Convert area under grandstand to storage areas Low Redesign office/adm inistration/kiosk area Low

5.3.2 Traeger Park Oval

Public toilets Funded by NT Establish turf practice wickets. Low Expand office space Low

5.3.3 Traeger Park Tennis

Upgrade power supply to Traeger Park High Resurface all courts, and elim inate growth of fungus M edium M odify fence between tennis courts and oval Low Increase run-off around all courts to m eet standard for Pro Circuit events Low

5.3.4 Traeger Park Hockey

Replace existing change room s and club room s High Install separate water supply to hockey pitches High Additional shade and seating around synthetic pitch High Replace heavily worn areas of synthetic carpet around goals M edium Increase run-off area around synthetic pitch to international standard Low

5.3.5 Traeger Park Baseball

Replace hom e run fence at Traeger Park Scheduled New clubhouse over canteen M edium Im prove security lighting around building M edium Construct storage shed and training room Low Im prove floodlighting at Traeger Park Low

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5.3.6 Ross Park Netball

Additional on site car parking High Additional shade High Increase size of change room s and toilets in am enities building M edium Perim eter fencing Low Additional netball courts Low

5.3.7 Ross Park Soccer

M ajor repairs to perim eter fence and ball catcher Low

5.3.8 CDU Oval

Replace surface of hard wicket High Im proved shade High Im proved access to toilets and change room s High

5.3.9 Albrecht Oval

Im prove shade High Floodlighting suitable for training M edium New storage shed M edium Increase area between fence and football oval to 5 m etres Low New scoreboard Low Seal car park Low Floodlighting suitable for cricket Low

5.3.10 Flynn Park

Upgrade floodlighting to cater for wom en’s cricket Low

5.3.11 Anzac Oval

Upgrade am enities and adm inistration building Scheduled Electricity supply to electronic scoreboard Scheduled Provide public toilets High Im prove the am ount of shade High Upgrade storage facilities M edium Replace am enities and adm inistration building Low Im prove security of scoreboard Low Fencing around pitch Low 300 seat grandstand Low Im prove the am ount of spectator seating Low

5.3.12 Rhonda Diano Oval

Upgrade toilets and change room s Scheduled Upgrade jum ping pits and throwing circles Low Install floodlights M edium

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5.3.13 Jim M cConville Oval

Extend side line fences on one diam ond Scheduled Upgrade/construct toilets and change room s High Additional shade High Im proved water supply to water the Crackadust High Im prove Crackadust surface (uneven) High Upgrade security lighting High Upgrade surface of grass outfield High (Option) Replace Crackadust with turf M edium Floodlight at least one diam ond M edium Extend side line fences on two diam onds Low Floodlight additional diam onds Low Storage shed Low

5.3.14 Flynn Drive Oval

Im prove security around building High Increase m aintenance to cater for increased use High

5.3.15 Other

New cricket oval with hard wicket Low

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