Sporting news for SA’s steel city
An announcement in Whyalla today aims to build a stronger and fitter local community after a year of turmoil focused on the bailout of its ailing steelworks.
Work has started on a new $6 million state-of-the-art sporting facility in Whyalla to support young athletes and their families across the Spencer Gulf.
After a year of intense scrutiny on the SA city, fuelled by the bailout of the Whyalla Steelworks after it was forced into administration by the state government in February, local Mayor Phill Stone has welcomed good news on an investment in local infrastructure.
The new shared-use development will transform the Whyalla Secondary College site and includes:
- A new clubhouse with change rooms, kitchen, social space and referees’ room.
- Upgrading the two existing soccer pitches and AFL oval.
- New fencing, lighting, goals and nets.
- Improved amenities and landscaping.
The new hub, located in the centre of Whyalla, is regularly used by clubs including the Whyalla Soccer Association and Whyalla Junior Soccer Association with the project expected to help them expand and get more local girls and boys active.
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Female AFL players were also expected to use the oval and new change rooms as part of the upgrade.
Stone said the new centre was “an ideal location for a shared-user space, as it will activate the centre of our city and complement the existing sporting facilities at the Whyalla Secondary College to cater for the broader community.”
“It presents a perfect opportunity for sports like junior soccer and women’s footy to access a first-class facility in the heart of our city to support their future growth,” he said.
Football SA is partnering with the State Government to deliver the project, with Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Rhiannon Pearce saying the state government was addressing the growing need for upgraded sporting facilities and continuing to work with council, clubs and the school.
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Thorne Constructions has been selected as the builder, with a focus on employing Whyalla sub-contractors where possible to support local jobs.
Preliminary work has started with the team back on site from mid-January and an expected completion date by the end of 2026.
News emerged earlier this year that creditors linked to the Whyalla Steelworks were owed more than $1.3 billion by former owner GFG Alliance, and KordaMentha was appointed as administrators.
Shortly afterwards, the state and federal governments announced a $2.4 billion rescue package for the steelworks to support local businesses and to ensure it could continue employing people and producing steel.
On Wednesday, Pearce said the new sports centre project would “support local clubs to get young people active across the region, in a new hub designed for future generations”.
“We are providing more ways for people to participate, pull on their colours and stay connected through sport,” she said.
Football SA chief executive officer Michael Carter said his organisation’s development team would deliver programs for young boys and girls in partnership with the Whyalla Secondary School and Council.
“The project will leave a legacy for the region and will enable the city to attract high level events into the future,” he said.
