Community celebrates enduring legacy
27 May 2025While the red ribbon to officially open Barossa Park was already cut in the lead up to AFL Gather Round, it was the community's turn to celebrate last Sunday.
Locals spilled into the region's newest and most spectacular recreation precinct to tour the site whilst youngsters kicked the footy and ran around the AFL standard oval where only months earlier, the nation's best were competing.
Everyone marvelled at the view of the Barossa Ranges as representatives from cricket, tennis, football, netball, little athletics and the pigeon club proudly showcased their new home.
Mayor Bim Lange, together with Emily Bourke, State Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, unveiled a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
"It launched in spectacular fashion...bringing 20,000 people to this ground and injecting around $8 million into our local economy."
In thanking all stakeholders, especially the State Government, Mayor Lange said while these big numbers are impressive it's the local community who will gain the most, week in and week out.
From Auskickers, Net Set Go teams, tennis hot shots, runners and jumpers; to volunteers, venue hirers, dog walkers, picknickers and more, Mayor Lange was proud to list the many beneficiaries.
For me, that's what Barossa Park is truly about: a place to connect and to belong; to participate and to be part of something bigger than ourselves. That’s the enduring legacy.
