Town of Gawler is excited to be sliding into first base by locking in Outside Ideas Pty Ltd to deliver the Karbeethan Reserve Stage 1 Redevelopment, with works expected to commence on ground in July 2023.

Key points:

• Stage one of the Karbeethan Reserve redevelopment is a major step in the implementation of Council’s Karbeethan Reserve Masterplan.
• The plan seeks to optimise the use of the reserve, maximise participation, and future proof the facility as a regional sporting precinct.
• Council secured up to $900,000 in grant funding for the project from the State Government’s Local Government Infrastructure Partnership Program.
• Council will contribute an additional $2.6 million providing for a total estimated project cost of $3.5 million.

"Works for stage one of the Karbeethan Reserve redevelopment will begin in July 2023 and are expected to be finished by the end of the year. The construction methodology and staging to deliver a successful project around active sports was a strong element of Outside Ideas’ tender submission. Council and Outside Ideas will be working closely with the sporting associations to minimise impacts to their playing seasons." said Town of Gawler CEO, Henry Inat.

Karbeethan Reserve is home to the Gawler Eagles FC (soccer), Gawler & Districts Softball Association (Bluejays, Giants, Kangas, Trinity, and Two Wells clubs) and Gawler Rangers Baseball Club and this redevelopment includes significant lighting, fencing and irrigation upgrades to better support the playing of soccer, baseball and softball at the sporting precinct.

LED Lighting upgrades will enable evening training and games to be held, optimising use of the precinct. Fencing and irrigation upgrades will provide better water efficiency as well as improve game day experiences for players and spectators alike. All this support future player recruitment.

Full details of works for this stage of the redevelopment are:

• Improvements to the main soccer pitch through replacement of the existing ageing and inefficient pitch lighting (with improved LED lighting), irrigation replacement, fencing upgrade and turf renewal.
• Development of sporting infrastructure for Gawler & District Softball Association (currently the Association does not have any fixed infrastructure of its own) – softball diamond with LED lighting, irrigation replacement, turf renewal and backstop fencing.
• Upgrade of existing baseball diamond to a Baseball SA Division 1 specification, with installation of LED lighting, irrigation replacement, turf renewal, homerun, and backstop fencing.

“This is a considered investment in an area of Gawler that’s experiencing significant urban growth. The upgrade will support that growth and our reputation for being a great place to live as well as providing tangible benefits in physical and mental health.  This investment will assist the hundreds of local men, women, and children from across Gawler and the wider region who come to be a part of a team and get involved in community sport", said Mayor Karen Redman.

“The masterplan for Karbeethan Reserve is a long-term, 10-year project, that is being brought to fruition in workable stages. Council recently announced that we had purchased two adjoining allotments to allow for future expansion of the reserve and this was made possible with a $800,000 grant contribution from the Minister for Planning, through the State Government’s Open Space Grant Program financed through the Planning and Development Fund. We look forward to seeing stage one of the redevelopment completed and the initial stages of our community’s vision becoming a reality.”