SARA GILLIGAN

THE Gawler Sport and Community Centre has reopened after a $500,000 stadium revamp.

The centre has been closed since November last year for various upgrades, including major floor and wall renovations.

Other works undertaken include the removal of aged straw cladding, replacement of insulated, metal cladding to the interior walls with feature panels, removal of the stage, painting of the interior walls, electrical and wiring upgrades, grinding of the existing floor surface, repairs and re-surfacing with floor sealer, and line marking used by a variety of community-based sport activities.

Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said council had invested close to $500,000 in capital works for the stadium over the past year, just 12 months after the centre’s roof cladding was replaced.

“The stadium has been a highly valued community asset in the 30 years since its opening in 1989,” she said.

“I would like to thank the Rotary Club of Gawler for their instrumental involvement in the original construction and delivery of this great asset for the Gawler community.

“The completed works, jointly funded by the State Government’s Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing though grants valued at $195,000, will help provide for the next 30 years of community activity.”

Ms Redman said the upgrades would allow the facility to maintain a “high level of flexibility” including for roller sport activities.

“The stadium is the only centre in the state that caters for four roller sports disciplines – artistic skating, inline hockey, roller derby and speed skating,” she said.

“It is used for some of Gawler’s largest annual community events, such as the Gawler Show and swap meets, and last year it successfully hosted the community Reconciliation Week event.

“It is such a well-used space.”