KGV Oval

Last updated

KGV Oval
New Stand at KGV.jpg
Australia Hobart location map.svg
Red pog.svg
KGV Oval
Location within Hobart
Location Glenorchy, Tasmania
Coordinates 42°49′53″S147°16′37″E / 42.83139°S 147.27694°E / -42.83139; 147.27694
Owner Glenorchy City Council
OperatorGlenorchy City Council
Capacity 18,000 [1]
SurfaceGrass
Opened1950
Tenants
Glenorchy Football Club – Tasmanian State League, Southern Football League, Southern Tasmanian Junior Football League
Glenorchy Cricket Club – TCA
Southern Football League (HQ)

KGV Oval is a multi-purpose sports stadium located in Glenorchy, Tasmania. It serves as the home ground for the Glenorchy Football Club and the Southern Football League, and it is also used by the Glenorchy Cricket Club.

Contents

The oval has a seating capacity of 18,000, making it the third-largest Australian rules football venue in Tasmania after North Hobart Oval and UTAS Stadium.

KGV Oval is named in honour of King George V, and is located less than 1 kilometre from the Glenorchy CBD, approximately 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Hobart.

KGV Oval should not be confused with KGV Park, an adjoining soccer venue that is the base of Football Tasmania and home to Tasmania’s top soccer competitions.

History

1950s: Establishment and Early Years

KGV Oval was officially opened in 1950, named in honour of King George V, to serve as the primary sports venue for the Glenorchy district. The Glenorchy Football Club, formed through a merger between New Town and Glenorchy Rovers, became the main tenant of the ground, and KGV Oval quickly became a key venue for Australian rules football in Tasmania. It also hosted the local Glenorchy Cricket Club and other sports teams. Early development included the construction of basic spectator facilities, such as grandstands and terracing. [2] [3]

1980s: Expansion and concerts

In the 1980s, KGV Oval underwent significant redevelopment, including the construction of grassy spectator banks and terracing. The ground was considered as a possible central venue for the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), but plans for it to become the official home of the TFL never came to fruition. [4]

During this period, KGV Oval also became a major concert venue in Hobart. In 1987, the Australian Made concert series event featured performances by INXS, Jimmy Barnes, Divinyls, The Saints, Models, The Triffids, I'm Talking, and Mental As Anything. This event is particularly notable for INXS performing "Good Times" live for the first time with Jimmy Barnes. [5]

In 1986, Dire Straits performed two consecutive nights at KGV Oval, attracting crowds of over 20,000 and 18,000 respectively. [6] Other notable acts include Stevie Wonder, and Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers performed a joint concert at KGV in the mid-1980s. [7] [8]

However, KGV Oval’s status as a key entertainment venue in Tasmania was short-lived. Following the completion of the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) in 1989, bookers began favouring the newer, indoor venue for international touring acts. KGV Oval was further hindered by its location within a residential area, whereas the DEC, located in a dedicated sporting precinct, was able to host events later in the evening, making it a more practical choice for large-scale concerts and entertainment events.

Fire and Rebuilding of the Cresswell-Beakley Stand (2007-2010)

In October 2007, the Cresswell-Beakley Stand, which had been a staple of KGV Oval since 1962, was destroyed by fire. Local youths were suspected to have started the blaze, causing over $600,000 in damage. The stand was noted for its unique curved wooden ceiling, designed to reduce bird droppings on the seating below. [9] A new, modern version of the stand was completed in 2010, featuring improved seating, function rooms, corporate facilities, and accessibility enhancements. [10]

In 2009, the Southern Football League (Tasmania) (SFL) announced it would relocate its offices and host its major finals at KGV Oval starting in the 2010 season. As part of the redevelopment, the Tasmanian government provided funding for new television-quality lights and an electric scoreboard. [11] The new lights were inaugurated during the 2011 TSL season opening match, which drew a record crowd of 8,480 spectators.

2010s: KGV Sports and Community Precinct

In the 2010s, the KGV Sports and Community Precinct Master Plan was developed by the Glenorchy City Council, aiming to transform KGV Oval into a multi-functional community space. This plan included the construction of the KGV Sports and Community Centre, which opened in 2015 and was designed by Jaws Architects. The centre now hosts a variety of community and sporting events and is a hub for local engagement. [12] [13]

Recent Events

KGV Oval continues to be used for high-profile events, including hosting the offices and finals of the Southern Football League. The venue remains an important asset to the Glenorchy community, both as a sports ground and an entertainment venue. [14]

Facilities

KGV Oval has a large playing surface measuring 160 by 134 metres (525 ft × 440 ft), which makes it one of the largest football grounds in Tasmania. The venue includes two main grandstands: the rebuilt Cresswell-Beakley Stand and the Anfield Street Stand, which was constructed in 1981. The Glenorchy Football Club's clubrooms, located between the two stands, were built in 1968 and feature change rooms, offices, a social club, and a kiosk.

On the broadcast wing near the river end of the oval is the Glenorchy Cricket Club's clubhouse and cricket nets. [15]

Attendance

KGV Oval has hosted several high-attendance events, particularly for Tasmanian State League and Southern Football League finals.

No.DateEventTeamsSportAttendance
12 April 2011 Tasmanian State League Glenorchy Football Club vs. Hobart Football Club Australian rules football8,480 [16]
225 September 2010 SFL Grand Final Claremont vs. Lindisfarne Football Club Australian rules football7,900 [17]

Access and transport

KGV Oval is centrally located in Glenorchy, easily accessible from Hobart via public transport. Metro Tasmania buses service the area, with routes connecting Glenorchy to Hobart City and other northern suburbs. There is limited parking at the venue, and during major events, nearby streets and parking lots are utilised by attendees. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellerive Oval</span> Sports stadium

Bellerive Oval is a cricket oval and Australian rules football ground located in Bellerive, a suburb on the eastern shore of Hobart, Tasmania. Capable of accommodating 20,000 people, it is the 2nd largest stadium in Tasmania by seating capacity, behind York Park which can hold 21,000 people. It is the only venue in Tasmania which hosts international cricket matches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York Park</span> Sports stadium in Tasmania

York Park is a sports ground in the Inveresk and York Park Precinct, Launceston, Australia. Holding 21,000 people, York Park is known commercially as University of Tasmania (UTAS) Stadium and was formerly known as Aurora Stadium under a previous naming rights agreement signed with Aurora Energy in 2004. Primarily used for Australian rules football, its record attendance of 20,971 was set in June 2006, when Hawthorn Football Club played Richmond Football Club in an Australian Football League (AFL) match.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derwent Entertainment Centre</span> Indoor arena in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

The Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC), known commercially as MyState Bank Arena since 2021, is Tasmania's largest indoor arena, serving as Hobart's primary location for large indoor sporting events, functions and live entertainment. Commissioned by the Tasmanian Government and the Glenorchy City Council, the DEC served as the home arena for the Hobart Devils in the NBL from 1989 until 1996, when the team's licence was revoked. Subsequently, between 1997 and 1998, ownership was transferred entirely to the City of Glenorchy, where it became a financial burden and incurred significant maintenance expenses for Glenorchy taxpayers, while seeing limited use. As the largest enclosed multipurpose venue in Tasmania, the DEC has hosted many Australian and international musical acts, including Kylie Minogue, Bob Dylan, Carole King, The Corrs, James Brown, Leonard Cohen, Tina Turner, Blondie and The Beach Boys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alberton Oval</span>

Alberton Oval is a sports oval located in Alberton, a north-western suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It has been the home of the Port Adelaide Football Club since 1880. The ground is a public park and is exclusively leased to Port Adelaide for Australian rules football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenorchy Football Club</span> Australian rules football club

The Glenorchy District Football Club is an Australian rules football club currently playing in the Tasmanian State League and the Southern Football League in Tasmania, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Hobart Oval</span> Sports venue in Tasmania, Australia

North Hobart Oval is a sports venue in North Hobart, Tasmania. Formerly used primarily for Australian rules football widely regarded as the traditional home of Australian football in Tasmania. However since the 1950s it has also become one of the main soccer, Rugby League, & Rugby Union venues in Tasmania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TCA Ground</span> Tasmanian cricket and football ground

The TCA Ground, or Tasmanian Cricket Association Ground, is one of two first-class standard cricket grounds in Hobart, Tasmania. It is located on the Queens Domain less than one kilometre from the CBD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sport in Tasmania</span> Overview of sports traditions and activities in Tasmania

Sport is a significant aspect of the culture on the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Outside general recreational activities such as walking, gym or bushwalking, the most popular sports in Tasmania are swimming, athletics/track and field, cycling/mountain biking, golf and Australian rules football. Netball ranks as the most popular team sport for female participation, while cricket leads among male participants. The most widely played team sport is soccer, with an estimated 36,773 Tasmanians, comprising 6.8% of the state's population, participating annually.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Park Oval</span>

West Park Oval is an Australian Rules football, cycling and athletics venue located on the shores of Bass Strait in Burnie, Tasmania. It is the current home of the Burnie Dockers in the Tasmanian State League and previously in the NTFL and in the original TFL Statewide League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauderdale Oval</span> Sports ground in Tasmania, Australia

Lauderdale Oval or Lauderdale Sports Ground is a suburban Australian rules football and cricket ground situated in the beach-side Hobart suburb of Lauderdale, Tasmania, Australia. It is home of the Lauderdale Football Club in the Tasmanian State League and has been used by the Lauderdale Football Club since 1948 in both amateur and country football. In 1998, Lauderdale Oval underwent upgrades for increased lighting, enabling the ground to be used for night football in the Southern Football League.

The 1986 TFL Statewide League premiership season was an Australian rules football competition, staged across Tasmania over 18 roster rounds and six finals series matches between 5 April and 20 September 1986.

The 1988 TFL Statewide League premiership season was an Australian rules football competition, staged across Tasmania, Australia over eighteen (18) roster rounds and six (6) finals series matches between 2 April and 17 September 1988.

The 2009 AFL Tasmania TSL premiership season was an Australian rules football competition, staged across Tasmania, Australia over eighteen roster rounds and six finals series matches between 4 April and 19 September 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queenborough Oval</span> Sports ground in Hobart, Tasmania

Queenborough Oval is the home headquarters of the Hutchins Old Boys Football Club and the South Hobart/Sandy Bay Cricket Club. The ground is a former Tasmanian Football League venue, being the former home of the Sandy Bay Football Club from 1945 to 1997. After the demise of Sandy Bay in 1997, Hutchins moved to the ground during the 1998 season after vacating their former home ground of 43 years just up the street from Queenborough. It is located on the corner of Nelson Road and Peel Street Sandy Bay, 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the Hobart CBD.

The 1979 Tasmanian Australian National Football League (TANFL) premiership season was an Australian rules football competition staged in Hobart, Tasmania over twenty (20) roster rounds and four (4) finals series matches between 7 April and 22 September 1979.

The 1999 TSFL premiership season was an Australian rules football competition, staged across Tasmania, Australia over eighteen roster rounds and four finals series matches between 10 April and 18 September 1999. This was the fourteenth season of statewide football and the League was known as the Chickenfeed Super League under a commercial naming-rights sponsorship agreement with Chickenfeed Bargain Stores in Hobart worth A$350,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eureka Stadium</span> Sports stadium in Victoria, Australia

Eureka Stadium, known commercially as Mars Stadium, is an oval-shaped sports stadium located in the Eureka Sports Precinct of Wendouree, 2.9 km (1.8 mi) north of the CBD of the city of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boyer Oval</span> Tasmanian football ground

Boyer Oval is the home headquarters of the New Norfolk District Football Club and the Molesworth Cricket Club.
The ground is a former Tasmanian Football League venue, being the host venue of 825 official TFL matches for New Norfolk in TFL football from 1947 to 1999 and from 2000 it became a venue for SFL football when New Norfolk were demoted from the Statewide League.
It is located on First Avenue and has a back entrance on Back River Road at New Norfolk, 38 kilometres north-west of the Hobart CBD.

The 2017 AFL Tasmania TSL premiership season is an Australian rules football competition staged across Tasmania, Australia over twenty-one home and away rounds and six finals series matches between 31 March and 23 September.

The 2019 AFL Tasmania TSL premiership season is an Australian rules football competition staged across Tasmania, Australia over twenty-one home and away rounds and six finals series matches between 30 March and 21 September.

References

  1. ↑ "KGV Oval". Austadiums. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  2. ↑ "KGV Oval". Tasmanian State League. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  3. ↑ "Great Club: New Town/Glenorchy Football Club". AFL Tasmania Hall of Fame. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  4. ↑ "KGV Oval Redevelopment Plans". AFL Tasmania. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  5. ↑ "Australian Made Concert at KGV Oval". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  6. ↑ "Dire Straits Concert at KGV Oval" (PDF). Get Moving Tasmania. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  7. ↑ "KGV Oval Music Concerts". Glenorchy Stadium. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  8. ↑ "Stevie Wonder at KGV Oval". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  9. ↑ "Fire destroys grandstand at KGV Oval". ABC News. 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "KGV Oval Grandstand Rebuild". AFL Tasmania. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  11. ↑ "KGV Oval Lights and Scoreboard". The Mercury. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "KGV Sports and Community Precinct" (PDF). Glenorchy City Council. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  13. ↑ "KGV Sports and Community Centre". Jaws Architects. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  14. ↑ "Southern Football League Relocation". Tasmanian State League. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "KGV Oval Facilities Overview". Glenorchy Football Club. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  16. ↑ "KGV Oval Record Attendance". The Mercury. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  17. ↑ "SFL Grand Final Attendance". Southern Football League. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  18. ↑ "KGV Oval Transport and Parking". Austadiums. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.