Adelaide private school principal fears playground on ropes for MotoGP
An Adelaide private school principal claims the new MotoGP track will deprive students access to “vital outdoor play spaces”, with fears a 100-year-old playground is set to be moved.
Christian Brothers College Principal David Johnston said no final decision had been communicated to his school about moving the 100-year-old Glover Playground but Premier Peter Malinsauskas has publicly announced it would need to be relocated to make way for the newly won MotoGP event circuit.
“The MotoGP announcement was made publicly before meaningful consultation with the college, and only after that announcement were we informed that proposed capital works may have implications for the Junior Campus playground,” Johnston said.
“The college has had one meeting since the announcement that did not resolve any of the issues.”
Johnston said he met with members of the South Australian Motor Sports Board (SAMSB) to outline concerns over the potential loss of Glover Playground, prolonged loss of access to outdoor areas and damage to school property.
“Despite attempts to confirm possible talking points via email, there has been no response from the organisers. The lack of open and timely communication remains very disappointing.”
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Johnston said while the school acknowledged the MotoGP’s economic and cultural value, its Glover Playground, which is next to the CBC junior campus on East Terrace, was a “central component of daily learning, wellbeing, and play” for the school’s youngest students.
But a spokesperson for SAMSB told InDaily that “Glover Playground will not be removed, it will be enhanced”.
“Event organisers met with Christian Brothers College for a briefing at the earliest opportunity and continue to consult with them, plus other Park Land stakeholders, in conjunction with the City of Adelaide,” the spokesperson said.
The popular playground has in-ground trampolines, a half basketball court and play equipment, and was first established on Adelaide Park Lands more than 100 years ago after being donated to the community by Lord Mayor Charles Glover in 1925.
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Glover Playground was renovated and reopened in 2018.
Malinauskas announced South Australia had successfully pinched the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix from Victoria last month, saying it would be held on the city’s street circuit currently that was once used by the Formula One Grand Prix.
Victoria’s government wanted to keep the grand prix at Phillip Island, where it has been held since 1997, having previously played host in 1989 and 1990. Last year’s event at Phillip Island attracted 93,000 spectators. The grand prix was estimated to generate more than $54 million a year in economic benefit to Victoria.
Johnston said his school had ongoing concerns about prolonged loss of access to the parklands for “curriculum and recreation” when the event slated to be held in November 2027 was held, along with safety risks and a “consistent lack of timely, transparent communication with event organisers”.
“The college remains committed to constructive dialogue and is seeking genuine consultation to ensure that major events can succeed without compromising students’ access to safe, functional learning and play spaces,” Johnston said.
Adelaide City Councillor Keiran Snape said potential damage to the Adelaide Park Lands was of “deep concern to the community and CBC”.
“Our Park Lands is what makes our city one of the most liveable cities in the world, and we want to enhance that liveability not degrade our parklands and remove such vital play spaces where children and families can play, learn, and be out there in nature.
“These attempts are deeply upsetting for the community, and we must do what we can to protect our Park Lands and these play spaces,” Snape said.
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