Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct
The City of Victor Harbor is planning for a Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct (The Precinct) that aims to be a hub for sport, recreation, connection and community.
Project Background
Over the years, significant planning has been undertaken to explore options for improved sport and recreation facilities in Victor Harbor to help meet the needs of our growing and diversifying community. In 2020 the Southern Fleurieu Regional Sports and Recreation Precinct Feasibility and Preliminary Design Project Report was prepared. This report focused on building a sport and recreation precinct on a site referred to as the 'Gillespie Land' on Armstrong Road in Encounter Bay, canvassing a limited number of sport and recreation amenities. A high-level cost estimate that accompanied this report put the precinct development in the vicinity of $46 million, and although a staging plan was proposed, the Council did not endorse this initiative and instead paused the project, allowing time to further reflect on community need and the desired outcomes.
Re-igniting the project in 2022
In early 2022, the project was reignited with a broader community focus. While sport remains the key focus, a more holistic approach is required to make The Precinct sustainable, and to align with best practice and funding guidelines for the development of large scale sporting infrastructure.
To assist guide the project, the Council is working to a set of guiding principles that align with the South Australian Government's sports and recreation infrastructure to assist in securing grant funding:
- Community benefit – working to ensure the Precinct is utilised by the widest range of future users
- Budget impact – a concept that provides a Precinct within a realistic budget that allows for long term affordability
- Partnership potential – an opportunity to determine if there is public / private interest
- Future proofing – a Precinct designed to meet the immediate, growing and long-term needs
- External funding alignment – meets external facility funding criteria
- Environmental sustainability – with a focus on energy and resource efficiency
- Timeframe – when can the facility be delivered
- Facility location and access – centering around being welcoming and inclusive for all
- Economic return on investment – will the broader community benefit from flow on
Community engagement was undertaken during March and April 2022 to seek community and stakeholder input into three potential site options for The Precinct, and understand potential uses and users of The Precinct.
During the consultation period, the community and key stakeholders were asked to provide their views on three potential location options including:
- Option 1 – Armstrong Road (Gillespie Land)
- Option 2 – Lot 202 Armstrong Road (behind the Victor Harbor TAFE)
- Option 3 – Adelaide Road (Town Entrance)
Community and stakeholder feedback, along with other investigations and analysis, indicated a strong preference for Lot 202 to be the preferred site for the Precinct. This was subsequently adopted by Council at the Special Meeting held on 30 May 2022 and the project then progressed to concept development.
Key themes from the stakeholder and community engagement that occurred in early 2022 highlighted that The Precinct should:
- Be multi-purpose, accessible to all, intergenerational
- Provide a facility that is fit-for-purpose and caters for a range of sports and recreation activities - particularly those that are in demand such as basketball and gymnastics
- Focus on both community and sport programs and activities
- Be future-proofed
- Consider other Precinct related factors (e.g. environmental and cultural sensitivities).
Read the full phase 1 engagement report for more details.
Expressions of Interest: The Precinct
The City of Victor Harbor is embarking on one of the most exciting, region-shaping development opportunities in a generation to deliver The Precinct.
On behalf of the City of Victor Harbor, Alinea Group has launched an Expression of Interest process calling for proposals from developers and operators looking to partner with Council to deliver the Regional Community, Sport and Recreation Precinct (The Precinct).
The exciting and landmark development in the heart of Victor Harbor is something that the Council has been working towards for some time. The project will deliver the southern Fleurieu’s premier sports, leisure and entertainment precinct.
Qualified and well-credentialled groups are encouraged to submit proposals for innovative development and operating solutions for The Precinct.
With the significant work that has been undertaken in recent years to change perceptions and position Victor Harbor as a place of choice to live, work, visit and invest, it’s an ideal time to invest our coastal city.
Site Overview:
- Strategic landholding of 11.5 ha. with river frontage
- Located in the heart of Victor Harbor’s Sport and Recreation Precinct
Key Highlights:
- Southern Fleurieu’s premier sports, leisure, and entertainment precinct
- Multi-purpose indoor stadium courts of ~4,800sqm
- Community-driven multi-function sporting precinct
- Acting as a powerful tourism and economic generator for the region
- Victor Harbor attracts 1.2 million visitors annually
- TiCSA 2023 Top Tourism and People Choice Town
- Largest township population in the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula region
- Victor Harbor has been nominated as one of two satellite cities in the draft Greater Adelaide Regional Plan
This site presents an exciting opportunity to capitalise on the positive investments and changes happening in Victor Harbor:
- Growing city that creates new opportunities for additional offerings
- Prominent and large-scale site with two street frontages
- Opportunity to incorporate facilities to be utilised by local community clubs, schools and TAFE
- Ability for multiple revenue streams and offerings on the one site
The Precinct is a vision for the future, combining community desires with long-term growth prospects for Victor Harbor’s tourism economy. With significant investment already made in the region’s infrastructure and amenities, this is a prime opportunity to be part of a transformative project.
Experienced groups are invited to be part of The Precinct as southern Fleurieu’s premier sports, leisure and entertainment precinct. The greenfield site provides the opportunity for development partners and operators to masterplan and curate the optimal tenancy mix for a landmark sport, leisure and entertainment precinct.
We invite you to review the Information Memorandum for your consideration of this compelling opportunity.
The closing date for Expressions of Interest has been extended to 5pm (ACDT) on Thursday, 16 November 2023.