William McShane, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Edithburgh’s new $1.8 million sports and community centre was unveiled on Sunday, June 2.

The project, funded by the Australian Government, was one of four initiatives on Yorke Peninsula to help the region’s recovery after the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires at Edithburgh, Yorketown, Price and Port Vincent.

The Edithburgh/Yorketown fire destroyed 11 structures and burned more than 5000 hectares.

Edithburgh Sporting and Community Club vice-president Nathan Mulholland said the new facilities had improved the township.

“Regional areas do get neglected, so we have to grasp these opportunities,” Mr Mulholland said.

“I’ve got kids who have grown up in the country and, while we don’t have the movie theatres and all the stuff the kids in the city get, they are quite lucky to have a facility like this, that is an A grade facility for country sport.”

The club was allocated $1.8 million for the multipurpose community centre through the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program in early 2022.

Mr Mulholland said Edithburgh’s new facility was also designed to be used as a CFS staging point, and relief and evacuation centre in the event of future bushfires.

Its design features include irrigation and a lights system which allows helicopters to land on the oval.

“It has given us the ability to provide a great facility for community use, not just for six weeks of football (each season) but something we can use throughout the year,” Mr Mulholland said.

The new standalone building has men’s and women’s home-team changerooms, a medical room and disabled toilets.

Mr Mulholland said, because of the lack of fitness infrastructure in the region, the committee was also considering implementing a community gym.

There will be three YPFL matches at Edithburgh from July 27, including the qualifying final.

Southern Eagles president Jack Barlow said he hoped the new development would allow Edithburgh to host bigger sporting events.

“We’re definitely excited to use the facilities; we want to set a standard,” he said.

“This development gives us options for the future to possibly put our hand up for some intraleague stuff, be it male or female, and certainly gives our netballers greater facilities.”

Other Black Summer Bushfire Recovery YP grants were $2.25m towards building the community childcare centre in Minlaton, $40,000 to the Edithburgh RSL and Bowls Club towards roof repairs and a mural, and $40,000 to Yorke Peninsula Council for bushfire preparedness signage. 

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 4 June 2024.