A proposal for a new $100 million permanent home for Gymnastics SA has been put forward ahead of the state election, with the project aimed at expanding access to training facilities for thousands of young athletes across South Australia.
The plan focuses on building a purpose-built, multi-use venue designed to support both community participation and high-performance training. The facility would bring several gymnastics disciplines together under one roof and create capacity for larger competitions and events in the future.
Gymnastics has grown steadily across the state in recent years. Officials say the sport now ranks as the second largest foundation skills activity in South Australia and the second largest sport for girls under the age of 14.
Despite that growth, existing infrastructure has struggled to keep pace. The current State Gymnastics Centre is 43 years old and widely regarded within the sport as outdated. Stakeholders say the venue no longer reflects the scale of participation or the requirements of modern training environments.
Participation figures highlight the pressure on available space. Across South Australia there are about 16,000 registered gymnasts, while more than 30,000 casual participants join programmes each year. Around 77 per cent of participants are female, and gymnastics is the fourth largest user of the state government’s Sports Voucher scheme.
Many local clubs are facing capacity challenges. About 70 per cent report waiting lists that can stretch into the hundreds. In total, more than 4,000 children are currently waiting for places in gymnastics programmes.
High-performance athletes have also been affected by the shortage of suitable facilities. Without a dedicated daily training environment that meets modern standards, some gymnasts have travelled interstate to continue their development.
The proposed venue would cover roughly 4,000 square metres and include equipment designed for both community participation and elite training. Early plans outline specialised safety matting systems, closed-pit landing areas with soft landing covers, and ceiling-mounted harness systems that support safer training during advanced routines.
The centre would accommodate several disciplines within gymnastics, including trampoline, tumbling, rhythmic, aerobic, and both men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics. Government planners have also indicated that the venue could potentially be used for other indoor sports depending on final design and community needs.
If the proposal moves forward after the election, planning would begin with identifying a centrally located site and working alongside Gymnastics SA to ensure the design reflects the needs of athletes, clubs and the wider community.
Peter Malinauskas said the project forms part of a broader effort to encourage children to take part in sport and community activities.
“We are serious about our plan to get kids off screens. We want them active and engaged with their community,” he said.
Malinauskas pointed to the long waiting lists at gymnastics clubs as a sign of growing demand.
“Gymnastics is growing with extraordinary demand. There are more than 4,000 children currently on waiting lists to join gymnastics clubs,” he said.
“Those girls and boys deserve top notch facilities, and we are taking a plan to the election to deliver them.”
He added that the multi-use design could support additional sporting activities.
“This facility will also present an opportunity to explore options for other uses including other indoor sports,” he said.
The proposal sits within a broader set of policies focused on increasing youth participation in sport, recreation and school activities. Measures include free school camps for Year 7 students in public schools, a requirement for 150 minutes of active learning each week, and free activities before and after school.
Other initiatives include expanding the Sports Voucher programme to cover young people aged 16 to 18, offering school holiday activity sessions, and improving community access to school sporting facilities.
Rhiannon Pearce said gymnastics plays a key role in developing fundamental movement skills among children.
“Gymnastics is one of the most important foundation sports in South Australia. It helps children develop coordination, strength, balance and confidence, skills that underpin participation in almost every other sport,” she said.
She said ageing infrastructure has limited the sport’s ability to expand.
“Despite its importance, gymnastics in South Australia is being held back by ageing infrastructure and a lack of purpose-built facilities,” Pearce said.
“A new facility would ensure athletes, young and old, male and female, have access to the venue and equipment they need to pursue their goals in this popular sport.”
Leaders within the gymnastics community say the project could provide a central base for the sport in the state.
Jo Marshall said the proposed centre would allow all seven of the organisation’s gymnastics disciplines to operate within dedicated training spaces supported by specialised equipment.
“This facility will allow all seven of our gym sports to have dedicated spaces and equipment, supporting athletes across every level of participation from recreational programmes through to high performance,” she said.
Marshall described gymnastics as an inclusive activity that encourages children and young people to develop confidence, coordination and strength.
“This centre will open the door for more people in our community to access those opportunities,” she said.
She also highlighted the role played by volunteers, coaches and athletes in supporting the project.
“This project has been driven by a passionate community of volunteers, coaches, athletes and administrators who care deeply about the future of gymnastics and the opportunities it provides for young people.”
Marshall said the facility could host more than 40 events each year and strengthen South Australia’s ability to attract national and international competitions.
Kent Davis welcomed the proposal and said a purpose-built venue could expand opportunities for participants across the state.
“This investment recognises the vital role gymnastics plays in developing fundamental movement skills while supporting participation across all levels of our sport,” he said.
“At Gymnastics SA, our purpose is to spark a love of movement and guide children from the playground to their personal best on the stage of life.”
Debate around sports infrastructure often intensifies during election periods, with questions typically raised about cost, location and long-term community benefits. Supporters argue improved facilities can increase participation and create pathways for athletes, while critics may focus on spending priorities and project timelines.
For the gymnastics community in South Australia, the proposal has placed the future of its training infrastructure firmly on the public agenda as participation continues to rise across the state.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
