Construction is officially underway on the $6 million Whyalla Sports Hub, a major new community facility set to strengthen grassroots sport, boost participation and support the long-term growth of clubs across the Spencer Gulf.
An election commitment of the SA Government, the Whyalla Sports Hub will transform the Whyalla Secondary College site into a modern, shared-use sporting precinct designed to support young athletes, families and community clubs for generations to come.
Located in the centre of Whyalla, the development will be accessible to local sporting clubs and associations and will include a new clubhouse with change rooms, kitchen, social space and referees’ room, upgrades to two existing soccer pitches and the AFL oval, new fencing, lighting, goals and nets, along with improved amenities and landscaping.
The hub will support clubs including the Whyalla Soccer Association and Whyalla Junior Soccer Association, providing modern infrastructure that will help them expand participation and encourage more girls and boys to get active. Female AFL players are also expected to use the upgraded oval and new change rooms as part of the project.
Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Rhiannon Pearce said the project reflected the Government’s commitment to backing regional communities and investing in their future.
“We are delivering on our commitment while backing in the Whyalla community – from the steelworks to sport, our Government is investing in the city’s long-term prosperity,” she said.
“This project will 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.”
The project is being delivered in partnership with Football SA and has been led by local member Eddie Hughes, who identified the growing need for upgraded sporting facilities in Whyalla and continues to work closely with council, clubs and the school.
“Sporting clubs are at the heart of our community in Whyalla and these clubs need good quality infrastructure to deliver their programs so they can continue to engage young people in sport,” Mr Hughes said.
“The Malinauskas Government recognises the importance sport plays in regional communities and that is why we continue to invest in great facilities like this.”
Whyalla City Council Mayor Phill Stone said the hub would activate the heart of the city and complement existing facilities at the school.
“It’s fantastic to see the State Government continuing to invest in Whyalla’s future to make it a better place in which to live,” he said.
“This is 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.”
Football SA CEO Michael Carter said the project would leave a lasting legacy for the region.
“The Whyalla Sports Hub is a very exciting project for the future of the Whyalla community. Football South Australia is very pleased to be partnering with the State Government to deliver a multi-sport facility,” he said.
“Our game development team are looking forward to delivering 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.”
Thorne Constructions has been selected as the builder, with a focus on employing Whyalla-based sub-contractors where possible to support local jobs. Preliminary works have commenced, with the team returning to site from mid January, and the project expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
