The inner-suburban oval, home of SANFL side Sturt and an occasional host of AFLW games, will be closed from October 3, 2023, to April 8, 2024.

The closure will allow the complete excavation of Unley Oval’s surface for a new playing field featuring sub-surface drainage, irrigation and four cricket pitches.

Unley Oval has never had sub-surface drainage, making it difficult to maintain when it gets bogged down in winter and dried out in summer, Unley Council says.

Unley Oval’s surface has become difficult to maintain, according to council. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily

“Now that we are hosting AFLW games, we needed to bring the surface up [to] the standard demanded by SANFL and the AFL,” Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson said.

“Council is hoping we might see an AFL game played here in future as part of the Gather Round – but ultimately it is about player safety for all sporting participants.”

A “majority” of the outer areas of the Oval, such as the children’s playground and public toilet facilities, will remain open during the playing surface upgrade, the council says.

A separate upgrade to Unley Oval’s lighting, requested by Sturt, will also commence on October 3.

The new lighting will not be enough to allow Unley Oval to host night games but will ensure the ground complies with SANFL training requirements.

There is a $1.7 million estimated cost for the turf replacement and lighting upgrade, to be funded by Unley Council and a $635,000 grant from the State Government’s Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing.

Sturt is also contributing $40,000 towards the new lighting.

Unley Oval. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily

Earlier this year, Unley Council registered its interest with the State Government to host an AFL men’s fixture as part of Gather Round in 2025 and 2026.

It follows Norwood Oval and Mount Barker’s Summit Sports Park being included in the inaugural Gather Round, which contributed to an estimated $2 million economic boost to the two local economies.

In a letter to Unley Council last month, Premier Peter Malinauskas said he appreciated the council’s interest and would “ensure this is raised with the AFL”.

“The AFL will ultimately make the decision as to where future fixtures will take place in South Australia,” he wrote.

“The City of Unley would make an ideal location and I hope it will be strongly considered by the AFL.”

The Premier has already indicated he will push the AFL for a Gather Round game in the Barossa Valley next year.

The full fixture for the 2024 AFL Gather Round – scheduled for April 4 to 7 – will be released in late November or early December, soon-to-be AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said earlier this year.

Unley Oval, which has a capacity of around 10,000 people, has undergone a series of major refurbishments over the last five years, including upgrades to its two grandstands.

Hewitson said the new “fit for purpose” playing surface will ensure Unley Oval “continues to be a magnificent facility moving forward”.

“Council has invested heavily in previous redevelopment stages in the grandstand and community hub projects, and the outcome has been nothing less than fantastic,” the Unley Mayor said.

“The new playing field is the final piece of much-needed improvements at our Oval, and we can’t wait to see the finished result, which will make this a significant asset for the Unley community for generations to come.”