As announced yesterday at the launch of the Tasmanian Community Football Facilities Fund, George Town’s Blue Gum Park redevelopment project has been celebrated as the winner of the 2023 Ken Gannon Community Football Facilities Award for Tasmania.
The Ken Gannon Awards recognise best practice in community football facility development, with the $500,000 redevelopment of Blue Gum Park Tasmania’s 2023 winner.
Blue Gum Park was long susceptible to severe weather events, with the ground’s poor drainage leaving the venue vulnerable to closures and and associated fixturing challenges.
This redevelopment, managed by the Baker Group, saw a new drainage system installed, the ground re-levelled and the installation of new goal posts, behind-goal netting, and perimeter fencing. This project involved strong collaboration between the George Town Council, George Town Football Club, the NTFA and AFL Tasmania, following an initial $226,391 Improving the Playing Field grant from the Tasmanian State Government.
This project has resulted in Blue Gum Park becoming a more reliable facility for the club, the NTFA competition and the broader football community, with the venue hosting a marquee NTFA Women’s Gala Day and NTFA Finals in 2023.
This award also recognises the incredible service to Australian rules football of over four decades by Ken Gannon. In a decorated career, Ken spent much of his last decade in the game developing the AFL’s interest and partnerships in this space, leveraging $500 million of outcomes for more than 800 community football facility projects. Click here for more information.
AFL Tasmania Venue & Government Partnerships Manager, Anthony Osborn, said, “The redevelopment of Blue Gum Park is an example of how a once-challenging venue can be transformed into a versatile and well-maintained space for its community.
“George Town Council, with the support of the George Town Football Club and Baker Group, drove this project successfully following a thorough review of the venue’s facilities and a successful grant from the Tasmanian State Government.
“Blue Gum Park’s redevelopment is a thoroughly deserving winner of Tasmania’s Ken Gannon Award and the club and council should be proud of what has been achieved for their community.”
George Town Football Club President, Lynette Burt, said, “Our club is very fortunate to have a supportive council to work alongside to ensure we can give our community access to a high-quality facility.
“The ground upgrades project managed by the council has given us a facility that can be used year-round, with a focus on improving community participation. AFL Tasmania provided support to ensure the ground was finished with a high-quality fence that improved player and spectator safety.
“It’s great to see the hard work and collaboration that went into this project recognised with this award.”
George Town Mayor, Cr Greg Kieser, said, “George Town Council is very proud to be part of such a wonderful AFL initiative.
“Blue Gum Park is the hub of George Town’s community football and serves as the bedrock of sport in our region. Having inviting, inclusive and contemporary facilities is crucial for the prosperity of local clubs and the communities they serve.
“It has been a pleasure collaborating with the club to facilitate a strategically located and accessible facility.”