Newly elected Northern Territory Government invests in Alice Springs sporting facilities

The newly elected Northern Territory Government is investing in improving sporting facilities in Central Australia.

The government has awarded a $903,923 contract to Harrison Enterprises (NT) Pty Ltd for the design and construction of sport lighting towers at Jim McConville Oval in Alice Springs.

Northern Territory Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure, Bill Yan, said the upgrades were a joint initiative with the Alice Springs Town Council to enhance the useability of sporting assets in the Red Centre.

Minister Yan noted “the lighting upgrades will provide better visibility, increase safety and enable more options for training and games for a variety of sports.”

The Northern TerritoryGovernment will also deliver a $15 million new multi-sports precinct at Centralian Middle School with Minister Yan adding the NT Government will “rebuild Alice Springs’ reputation and deliver a suite of sporting infrastructure the town can enjoy for generations to come, as well as catering for demand now and into the future.

“Getting kids into sport is one of the best ways to keep them from turning to a life of crime.

“Our plan for new and improved sporting facilities will help restore liveability for families, keeping them in Alice Springs, and attracting new families and essential workers to the town.”

The lighting upgrades are expected to be completed by first quarter of 2025.

The new Northern Territory ministry does not include major portfolios such as climate change and remote housing and instead has new positions aimed at boosting the economy. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has also scrapped the climate change portfolio altogether, with the environment portfolion now sitting with lands and planning under Minister Joshua Burgoyne

Further changes have seen the scrapping of ministerial portfolios for parks and rangers, and for women.

Image. Jim McConville Oval Alice Springs Credit: Charlie Lowson AFLNT