Memorial Oval Sporting Precinct - Port Pirie Regional … Oval... · Memorial Oval Sporting Precinct ... construct phase of the project. ... Cricket indicatedthat they would be looking

Port Pirie Regional Council – Memorial Oval Sport Precinct Proposal V1.2 P a g e | 1

Memorial Oval Sporting Precinct

PROPOSAL PURPOSE Council has been actively engaging participating sporting organisations to finalise the design of the redevelopment of Memorial Oval and Port Pirie West Oval, to enable the move to the construct phase of the project. The results of these discussions are included in this paper as well as a proposal to address the issues raised during these meetings together with a proposed site layout. It is inevitable that some organisations will be disappointed with the proposal as Council does not have sufficient funds to meet all the requests put to it. Council has aimed for maximum impact for the money available and use the current status quo as the benchmark for the minimum standards to be provided. A large majority of the outstanding issues raised during the initial consultation phase relate to the ongoing operations and management of the facilities, together with the cost to individual clubs. These issues will be worked through with all those involved once the facility specifications have been agreed and handed to the architect for detailed design. CURRENT USE OF THE MEMORIAL OVAL PRECINCT Figure 1 below indicates the existing layout of facilities in and around Memorial Oval and Pirie West Oval.

Existing use within Memorial Oval Precinct 1. Pirie West School Oval 2. Pirie West School 3. Scouts 4. Memorial Oval 5. Bowls 6. Bowls (leased to Croquet) 7. WWI entrance gates 8. Cycle Track 9. Score Board 10. Grand stand 11. Lions Club Rooms 12. SGL rooms, toilets, change

rooms 13. Swimming Pool 14. John Pirie School (including

Gymnasium Figure 1: Existing layout of the Greater Memorial Oval Precinct


FEEDBACK RECEIVED Council has held discussions individually with those organisations/associations/clubs that have previously indicated their interest in being involved in the redevelopment of the Memorial Oval Precinct. The key issues and requirements these parties raised with Council are discussed below. FOOTBALL Football have indicated that they are interested in continuing to use Memorial Oval and be part of its redevelopment. The Solomontown Football Club were also receptive to decommissioning Globe Oval, provided they could share and alternate Pirie West Oval and Memorial Oval with Lions for training; that adequate lighting was provided to Pirie West Oval; and a weights room was made available to them (they currently have one at Globe). Lions Football Club also indicated that they may be prepared to allow the demolition of their current club rooms if a satisfactory arrangement could be reached over the Club using the central hub facilities (see separate discussion below). More specifically football indicated that they would be looking for the following in any redevelopment of Memorial Oval: • Prefer the current size of the Memorial Oval playing surface (~183x120m; AFL

recommendation175x145 including run off) and the existing orientation of the Oval (as much as possible).

• If the oval is to be realigned, Council should look at different species of grass, laser levelled and improve drainage.

• Improved lighting (~500 LUX) • SGL require board room/meeting room and timekeeper space (all could be shared). • Require four change rooms, two treatment rooms, and two umpire rooms (preferably

away from player rooms). SGL & Clubs undertook to provide some design options for consideration of the broader stakeholder group.

• Spectator facilities/grandstand to cater for between 400 to say 2000 people. • A bar, canteen, change rooms, toilets, storage shed, PA system, and viewing facilities

which could be shared with other users. • Parking to be provided around a significant part of the oval. • Oval must be fenced to separate players and spectators. • Weights room for SFC (if Globe Oval is decommissioned) BOWLS It is proposed that the Bowling Club and its facilities remain “as is” and be left untouched as a result of the proposal, except for a back fence being placed at the rear of the facilities following the removal of Croquet from the precinct. The Bowling Club indicated during their discussions with Council, that they would like to replace their A & B greens with synthetic turf; extend their B green by 3 lanes into the C Green and provide the balance of the C Green to the Croquet Club. The Bowling Club also were hesitant to allow Croquet to use their clubroom facilities. The provision of the C Green to Croquet is recognised as an admirable goodwill gesture, however additional land would be required to meet Croquet’s needs, and an additional clubroom and toilet facilities would also be required. It is Council’s view that the most cost effective solution is to relocate Croquet outside of this precinct (refer below), and thus the need to alter the current Bowling Club facilities become unnecessary.


It is acknowledged that there are cost savings to the Bowling Club in installing synthetic greens, however it is considered that there will be insufficient funding as part of the current project to achieve this. Council should work with the Bowling Club to determine alternative funding options that may be available to achieve this. CROQUET Due to its central position in the Memorial Oval Precinct, Croquet cannot remain in its current location if this project is to proceed in any form. Croquet indicated that they would be looking for the following in any redevelopment of Memorial Oval: • Two playing surfaces; each 23 x 25.6 metres; grass or synthetic (preferred) • Access to toilets • Small clubroom (to seat 36) and kitchen • Seating (with shade) around green • Storage for equipment • Paying no more that they currently do for the facilities A number of options were considered to re-home Croquet (refer Appendix 1 for locational details) including the following: • Bowling Club – As above, the Bowling Club have offered a large part of their C green

for Croquet use. Croquet requires two areas this size; additional costs with extending the B Green; with the unavailability of a clubroom and additional toilet requirements makes this option expensive and does not provide enough space.

• Albert Terrace Tennis Courts - The old tennis courts on Albert Terrace have been identified as being surplus to Council’s requirements; the area is of a sufficient size to meet Croquet’s requirements; and has a security fence around it. The site however is not highly visible; the building requires demolishing and replacing; there are no toilets on site; opportunities to share facilities are very minimal; at best this is a vacant location available for use.

• Princes Park – The old tennis courts located between PADARC rooms and the Solomontown Kindergarten in Princes Park have been identified as a potential location. Sufficient area is available; the tennis courts have been earmarked (but not currently funded) for decommissioning; PADARC facilities may be available for joint use (subject to agreement by all); space is available; and is in a visible location. No discussions have been held with PADARC about these options and it is believed that new toilet facilities will be required.

• Pasminco Park – The area at the corner of Halliday Street & The Terrace, including the former grass tennis courts. This area is currently used for passive recreation; is in a prominent location; and has enough space to cater for Croquet. The community reaction to this loss of open space will need to be determined; a number of trees may need to be removed; club and toilet facilities would need to be provided.

The option involving a relocation to Pasminco Park, including the construction of new toilets and club room, and the installation of a synthetic playing surface is the Council preferred option at this point in time (subject to further consultation and evaluation). Initial consultation with Croquet indicated that they prefer to stay in the Memorial Oval Precinct, however Pasminco Park is their next best option. .


BASEBALL Baseball have indicated that they are interested in remaining at Memorial Oval and be part of its redevelopment. They have indicated that they require three playing areas; one in the north, one in the south, and a main one in the west in front of the proposed central hub, all within the perimeter fence. Baseball indicated that they would be looking for the following in any redevelopment of Memorial Oval: • Improved lighting • Lower mowing of the infield • Sharing coaches boxes/dugout & behind goal fencing with football • Share batting cage/cricket nets with cricket (min x2) • Share bar, canteen, changerooms, toilets, PA system, and viewing facilities with other

users • An equipment storage shed. It is believed that most of the above should be able to be accommodated as part of the redevelopment and will be forwarded to the architect for inclusion in the draft plans. A number of management issues (as separate to infrastructure or facilities) were also identified that will require further discussion with affected parties. These items include: • Resolve issues associated with the interactions between Cricket and Baseball • Lower mowing of the infield • Removal of “lip” to the cricket pitch • Cut out grass around home plate, bases & between bases (to be replaced at end of

season) • Condition of goal squares following the football season CRICKET Cricket has indicated that they are interested in continuing to use Memorial Oval and be part of its redevelopment. They were receptive to decommissioning Globe Oval, provided Pirie West Oval is brought up to an acceptable standard. More specifically, Cricket indicated that they would be looking for the following in any redevelopment of Memorial Oval: • Prefer an oval of similar size to the current Memorial Oval and to continue to have 5

turf pitches in place. • Requested improved lighting • Minimum of three Cricket nets • Pirie West Oval should be at a similar standard to Memorial Oval and should have a

hard wicket (rather than a turf wicket) due to maintenance resources required for a second turf wicket.

• They do not require access to bar, canteen, and change rooms • Require storage for plant and equipment; meeting space, and a place for memorabilia. A number of management issues (as separate to infrastructure or facilities) were also identified that will require further discussion with affected parties. These items include: • The type of grass to be used on oval (kikuya is killing the pitch) • Resolve issues associated with the interactions between Cricket and Baseball


SOCCER The Savoy Soccer Club indicated their interest in being part of the Memorial Oval Precinct redevelopment. The proposal is to potentially create a soccer pitch on Pirie West Oval, behind the central hub, running in a north-south direction. More specifically Savoy has indicated that they would be looking for the following in any redevelopment of Memorial Oval: • A field 100-100m x 64-75m (currently 100x70m) • Adequate lighting for training and potentially night games • Off field facilities such as canteen (bar not essential), change rooms, score board (only

needs to be basic). • Prefer a fence around playing surface • A coaches/player area. • There is a set standard for goals; however these can be more flexible for training. A number of management issues (as separate to infrastructure or facilities) were also identified that will require further discussion with affected parties. These items include: • Managing the interaction between football and soccer when both have games on at the

same time (change rooms & canteen in particular) • Managing the interaction between football and soccer for training nights • Determining if a soccer pitch can fit between the central hub and the hard cricked pitch • Separating spectators from playing field (potential for portable fencing to be

considered). LIONS CLUBROOM

Separate discussions were held with the Lions Football Club in relation to the future of their clubrooms. While it is the preferred option to demolish the existing Lions clubrooms; it is not considered essential in the current Master Plan for the redevelopment of Memorial Oval. During these discussions the following issues were raised: • Lease costs of facility • Require 365 day access to allow for fund raising, event etc. • Security proposed for the facility needs to be considered • Wish to maintain their liquor licence as essential for raising funds. • Ensure that the facility does not become professionally staffed as it will increase costs,

prices of events/food; discourage people using facilities. • Undertook to assist • Lions Club also caters for football, cricket, basketball and netball Lions also indicated that they would provide details of the features that they would require in any new clubrooms.


THE PROPOSAL Based on the above discussion, Council is proposing the following for the consideration of the key stakeholders in the redevelopment of the Memorial Oval Precinct. PRECINCT IN GENERAL

The following is a list of general provisions within the precinct.

• Relocation of the Lions Football Club into the central facility (with discussions to occur over its operations under a no disadvantage principle).

• Relocate Croquet Club (see below) and provide a back fence to the Bowling Club.

• Relocate current activities on the Globe Oval to Memorial Oval/Pirie West Oval and sell Globe Oval (except for a portion at the back of the oval which is to be kept as open space).

• Scouts & Bowls to be left unchanged (with back fence to the bowling greens to be replaced when Croquet is removed).

• Ensure that adequate car parking is provided in and around the precinct.t

• Ensure adequate storage of equipment etc is provided for all sports.

• Provide a playground within the precinct.

• Provide adequate landscaping within the precinct.

• All roads and carparks in the precinct are to be sealed.

PIRIE WEST OVAL This oval is being designed for use by Solomontown and Lions Football Clubs for training (on a rotational basis with Memorial Oval); Savoy for games and training; and for cricket games. It will have the following features: • Council seek to gain access to Pirie West Primary School Oval from the school and

DECS for community use and open space while maintaining school access during school hours.

• Use Pirie West Oval as a large open green space (individual field/oval marked but not fenced), in order to maximise its potential use, and in a playing surface to a similar standard to Memorial Oval.

• Provide fencing around entire green space up to the central hub to control access to the oval.

• Provide access and viewing from the central hub.

• Ensure canteen/bar can be used for both ovals and potentially simultaneously by separate organisations.

• Provide adequate lighting to the ground that can be dimmed to suit activities on the oval (ie lower level for training than for games).

• Provide a hard cricket pitch for use of cricket.

• Provide sufficient space between the cricket pitch and the central hub for a soccer pitch (this may be separate to the football oval, or may in fact be incorporated as part of the football oval) NB soccer pitch to be far enough away from football goals not to cause a safety issue.


• Ensure that the soccer pitch and the football/cricket oval (as marked) is located in a central position to the central hub to enhance the viewing experience.

• Provision of a Scoreboard for soccer (does not have to be elaborate).

• Provision of goals for football and soccer.

• A perimeter fence around the soccer playing field on the eastern side to separate players and spectators and options for portable fencing around the balance of the soccer field for game day use.

MEMORIAL OVAL This oval is being designed for use by SGL, Baseball and Cricket for games; together with Solomontown and Lions Football Clubs for training (on rotational basis with Pirie West Oval). It will have the following features: • Retention of both sets of the Memorial Gates (WWI & WWII).

• Removal of the cycling track to provide more flexibility in site use.

• Demolish the existing infrastructure around the oval including grandstand, change rooms, league rooms, public toilets and canteen.

• Potential slight reorientation of the oval to allow better viewing from central hub and align in a more north south orientation. Maintain dimensions as close as possible to the current size.

• Provide fencing around entire Oval up to the central hub to control access to the oval.

• Provide access and viewing from the central hub.

• Ensure canteen/bar can be used for both ovals and potentially simultaneously by separate organisations.

• Provide adequate lighting to the ground that can be dimmed to suit activities on oval (ie lower level for training than games).

• Improve the playing surface including laser level surface, irrigation, new turf of different grass species etc

• Ensure that cars can park around at least 50% of the oval and that all roadways and carparks are sealed.

• Provision of interchange benches and coach boxes, suitable to both baseball and football.

• Provision of a scoreboard for football (electronic options also to be provided).

• Provision of joint use baseball cage/cricket nets x3.

• Siren, PA System

• Maintain current 5 turf pitches.

• High fence behind both goals to cater for both football and baseball.

• Provide a perimeter fence around oval to separate spectators and players


CENTRAL HUB The proposal is to provide a centralised hub between Pirie West and Memorial Ovals which incorporates a covered grandstand on the east; toilets, bar, canteen, change rooms on the ground floor; with office space/boardroom, function centre, kitchen and bar; viewing of both grounds and an outside undercover walkway on the first floor. More specifically this facility will include the following facilities for joint use: • Amenities (player toilets & showers) x2 • Change rooms x4 • Doctors Rooms/First aid/strapping room x2 • External covered grand stand seating 400-2000 people (eastern side) • Covered area on western side to protect spectators from sun and rain • Bar/Canteen (external access ground level) • Office/board room (communal use) • Public toilets • Storage • Timer box • Umpire rooms (away from players change rooms & cater for female umpires)

In addition to the joint use facilities, it is also intended to provide the following specific purpose/user facilities in the central hub.

• Bar, kitchen, cool room, social/function area (LFC) • Media Box/facilities (TraxFM) • Weights room (SFC) • Memorabilia display area (for each organisation)

Figure 2: Possible concept for Central Hub

CROQUET The following facilities are proposed as part of the relocation of Croquet to Pasminco Park. • Croquet to be relocated to Pasminco Park. • Back fence to the Bowling Club to be replaced when Croquet is relocated. • Provide two synthetic playing surfaces; each 23 x25.6 metres. • Club room (capable of seating 36 members) with kitchen and toilets (including external

access) • Provide shaded seating around greens. • Storage for equipment


PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT Based on the above discussion, Council is proposing the following site plan for the consideration of the key stakeholders in the redevelopment of the Memorial Oval Precinct.

Figure 3: Possible layout of upgraded Memorial Oval precinct

It is anticipated a professional designer will be able to ensure that the central hub (shown in red above) will be able to be more central to the soccer pitch (dark green square) and the oval on Pirie West. This provides a view of what the Memorial Oval Precinct might look like with the potential to incorporate other facilities over time to the area. Again this might provide a good starting point to commence discussions on what the final layout of the Precinct might look like. All effected clubs and associations should critically review this plan and ultimately reach agreement on the final design.


ISSUES TO RESOLVE While this proposal is designed to highlight Council’s preferred option for the upgrade to the Memorial Oval Sporting Precinct, it is acknowledged that there are numerous issues that will need to be resolved prior to its finalisation. Some of these issues include : • Rostering of playing surface – increased utilisation of the playing surfaces on

Memorial Oval and Pirie West Oval will require more rigorous scheduling of activities, particularly if Globe Oval is decommissioned and/or soccer relocates to this precinct.

• Management of facility – options for the management of the facility; responsibility for scheduling activities; operation of function area; funding of the facilities &/or sharing profits; need to be investigated with the aim of minimising costs whilst maximising the return to individual clubs and the community.

• Ongoing costs – consideration must be given to reducing ongoing costs and determining who pays for what (possible incorporation in management structure).

• Smelters Picnic – ensure there is sufficient room for the Smelters Picnic in any redevelopment of the area.

• Interim arrangements when building – consider options to minimise impact of construction on individual sports where possible including staging, timing of redevelopment and alternative sites to use during construction.

• Turf Pitch - interaction between cricket and baseball with turf pitch.

• Function centre/club house – ensure that clubs are not disadvantaged by spectators “free loading” or using function centre instead of club canteen & facilities.

• Base cut-outs and lower cut grass in the in-field – determine effect on other sports; cost to rectify at end of season; cost to maintain etc.

• Car parking – need to show number and position of car parking spaces on the plan.

• Covering Pirie West hard cricket pitch – is it possible and what is the costs and any issues involved with covering this pitch with grass during winter.

• Additional Funding – determine if funding from other bodies (SANFL, SACA, Clubs SA etc) is available for this project.

• Port Pirie West Primary School – further discussions are required to ensure that PPWPS is in favour of the proposal; determine their needs; come to an agreement of future ownership and management of the oval.

NEXT STEP It is believed that the following are the next steps required to bring this project to reality: • Finalise layout of Memorial Oval Sporting Precinct in conjunction with key users (this

proposal). • Confirm Sports Association requirements and standard of facilities required (this

proposal). • Set up an Issues Register to record all issues identified and proposed solutions

(included in this proposal). • Engage Consultant to prepare detailed design plans and costs based on agreed brief

(next step). • Confirm funding for the project. • Prepare detailed plans and specifications suitable for tendering. • Construct facility.


APPENDIX 1: CROQUET RELOCATION OPTIONS

Option 1: Bowling Club Option 2: Albert Tce Tennis Courts

Option 3: Princess Park Option4: Pasminco Park

Documents

Memorial Oval Sporting Precinct - Port Pirie Regional … Oval... · Memorial Oval Sporting Precinct ... construct phase of the project. ... Cricket indicatedthat they would be looking