Council to upgrade Alan Coulter Recreation Centre roof
Renmark Paringa Council will upgrade the roof at the Alan Coulter Recreation Centre to ensure the facility continues to serve community members and sporting groups from across the Riverland.
The decision follows Council’s endorsement to bring forward roof resheeting work as part of the Alan Coulter Recreation Centre Structural Remediation Project, now scheduled for delivery in the 2025/26 financial year.
Elected Members endorsed the recommendation to increase the project budget by $143,000, bringing the total to $218,000, to specifically address water leaks that have persisted above Court 2.
Renmark Paringa Council Chief Executive Officer Tony Siviour said the roof upgrade reflects Council’s commitment to providing important recreation facilities to the community.
“This upgrade is about more than protecting a building – it’s about supporting the people and clubs who rely on it,” he said.
“By investing in this infrastructure now, we’re ensuring that sporting groups, schools and community members have a reliable, safe facility to use well into the future.”
The need to act sooner was driven by ongoing reports about recurring water leaks over Court 2.
Despite multiple repair attempts, recent assessments confirmed the issue stems from a roof joint in multiple catchments.
On-site inspections following rainfall events have also identified early signs of damage to the flooring on Court 2.
That flooring, upgraded by Council in 2019 at a cost of $168,000, is only six years old and remains in good condition.
It provides a high-quality playing surface for a range of indoor sports and Council has identified the importance of protecting it for its full useful life.
Council determined that the most effective solution was to resheet the affected 1,000m² section of the roof, preventing further leaks and avoiding costly future damage to the court surface.
“Replacing the roof now avoids the risk of escalating repair costs and disruptions later,” Mr Siviour said.
“Proactive investment like this means better value for our community and stronger certainty for the people who use the centre every week.”
Owned by Renmark Paringa Council and managed by Belgravia Leisure, the Alan Coulter Recreation Centre plays a key role in supporting community participation in sport and recreation.
It is regularly used by local schools, fitness groups, and sporting clubs for basketball, netball, volleyball, and other indoor activities.
The facility also hosts regional competitions, making it an important venue for both local and visiting teams.
The broader structural remediation of the internal section of the building – originally scheduled for 2026/27 – remains part of Council’s longer-term plan.
Design work and community consultation for that phase will begin in the coming months. Council is also preparing grant applications to seek external funding to help reduce the financial impact on ratepayers.
More information about current and upcoming projects at the Alan Coulter Recreation Centre can be found on the Engage RPC project page: https://engagement.renmarkparinga.sa.gov.au/alan-coulter-recreation-centre-upgrades