Beach volleyball inches closer to Bonython Park
by Carla Caruso
Beach volleyball is one step closer to being played in Your Park Lands.
The council-owned City Beach volleyball courts – on the corner of Pirie and Frome streets – were sold last month, with the council seeking new sources of revenue.
But volleyball pros and amateurs needn’t despair yet. Volleyball SA, the leasee, is hoping to shift the courts into the Park Lands as part of a new, multi-purpose recreation hub.
As we reported last May, it’s likely the facility will be located in Bonython Park (Park 27), with the Adelaide City Council approving the repurposing of a section of the former netball courts.
However, it’s all subject to the not-for-profit Volleyball SA receiving sufficient funding. So far, neither the council nor government has offered any cash.
Currently, the old netball courts at Bonython Park are being used for car parking. But the Park Lands Management Strategy endorses reducing parking and enhancing the frontages along Port Road and Park Terrace.
This is the ‘in-principle’ layout that has been endorsed by the Park Lands Authority. Note that there is a small building (150m2) proposed for Volleyball SA to administer games on the courts.
Volleyball SA general manager Karla Della Pietra told Glam Adelaide she’s excited about the future possibilities.
“We have a vision for an exciting and inclusive Urban Beach Hub in the Park Lands, which will give the community more opportunities to get healthy and active in a central location,” she said.
“The City of Adelaide has supported Volleyball SA from the very early stages in finding a new site for our much-loved beach volleyball facility, and we look forward to working with the council as we develop our new, multi-use site.”
Replacing the current city courts, data centre operator NEXTDC will build a $100 million facility there. Development will start later this year.
Meanwhile, the proposed volleyball hub is set to sit right alongside APA’s own pilot project.
The council has given us the go-ahead for a temporary, re-greening project on a small part of the car park.
And we need your help with the design!
Our design competition is seeking ideas for the temporary transformation of a small area of Bonython Park, currently occupied by bitumen car parking.
We’re holding an Unpaving Paradise poster design competition, in partnership with the council and the University of Adelaide’s School of Architecture and Built Environment.
The contest is seeking ideas for a pop-up oasis there. Roughly 20m x 14m (280m2), the site sits alongside the Thebarton tram stop, not far from the SAPOL Road Safety Centre and Bonython Park kiosk.
It’s expected that the old bitumen surface will remain but will be covered or repurposed to make it cooler and greener.
If a success, the winning concept may be further expanded at the site and/or at other degraded areas in Your Park Lands. See the competition details here. Cash prizes are up for grabs.