The reserve’s changeroom facilities currently fall short of meeting the needs of the popular club, particularly following strong growth in female and junior participation in Aussie Rules and cricket.

Mayor Glenn Docherty said that the grant will boost the progress of the project, which is currently in the early stages of planning.

“The upgrade of the reserve’s changerooms and associated facilities were identified by Council and the community as a high priority project in Playford’s Sports Facility Strategy that was endorsed in 2023,” said Mayor Docherty.

“On the back of this, we commenced concept planning for the construction of new changerooms at Dwight Reserve. This funding from the state government’s Community Recreation and Sport Facilities Program means we can now move to the next stage of the project, which involves detailed design and further consultation with clubs and near-by residents before moving to construction.”

The new building will include four unisex changerooms, two umpires changerooms, toilets and storage facilities.

“The investment in this new facility reflects Council’s commitment to creating inclusive sporting environments for our whole community,” the Mayor said.

“There are growing numbers of female and junior participation at Eastern Park footy and cricket clubs, and the new changerooms responds to and caters for this demand.

“Improvements to sporting facilities not only benefit those who play sport each weekend but contribute to the overall wellbeing of the community too.

”The new changerooms are one of a number of upgrades being delivered in the vicinity of Dwight Reserve, with planning also underway to extend and formalise parking at Dwight Oval.

“Alongside the new changerooms, we are looking to improve the parking around the oval with a sealed carpark and formalised parking spaces,” said Mayor Docherty.

Across the road at Dwight Reserve North, an upgrade to the playground is set to get underway in the coming months, with new play equipment and a bike track.

Plans are also 2 underway by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to install a roundabout at the junction of Yorktown and Adams Road.

“Council and the community have been advocating for an upgrade to this junction for some time,” said Mayor Docherty.

“It is great to see the state government acknowledging the impact growth is having on road congestion in the north and investing in infrastructure to address these needs.

“We are working with the department to make sure the new intersection provides safe access to and from Dwight Reserve which will likely involve a new entry point to improve overall traffic and pedestrian flow.

“This range of initiatives will really transform the experience of this area for our community. The upgrades at Dwight Reserve will see the Eastern Park football and cricket clubs continue to grow well into the future, allowing more people in this part of Playford to enjoy sport and recreation in their local community.”

Timeframes for construction and completion of the changeroom project will be determined throughout the early planning phase.

Given the need to provide adequate toilet and change facilities at the club, Council will install temporary toilets at the site prior to the project’s construction.