KGV Oval facts for kids
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 KGV Oval
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| Location | Glenorchy, Tasmania |
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| Coordinates | 42°49′53″S 147°16′37″E / 42.83139°S 147.27694°E |
| Owner | Glenorchy City Council |
| Operator | Glenorchy City Council |
| Capacity | 18,000 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Opened | 1950 |
| Tenants | |
| Glenorchy Football Club – Tasmanian State League, Southern Football League, Southern Tasmanian Junior Football League Glenorchy Cricket Club – TCA Southern Football League (HQ) |
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KGV Oval is a big sports stadium in Glenorchy, Tasmania. It's a busy place where different sports teams play their games. The Glenorchy Football Club calls it home, and so does the Southern Football League. The Glenorchy Cricket Club also uses the oval for cricket matches.
This stadium can hold up to 18,000 people! That makes it one of the biggest places for Australian rules football in Tasmania. Only North Hobart Oval and UTAS Stadium are larger.
KGV Oval got its name from King George V. It's super close to the main part of Glenorchy, and only about 7 kilometers from Hobart.
It's important not to mix up KGV Oval with KGV Park. KGV Park is right next door and is used for soccer. It's the main place for soccer in Tasmania.
Contents
History of KGV Oval
How KGV Oval Started (1950s)
KGV Oval first opened its doors in 1950. It was named after King George V, a famous king. The goal was to create a main sports area for the Glenorchy community. The Glenorchy Football Club became the main team to play there. This club was formed when two other teams, New Town and Glenorchy Rovers, joined together. KGV Oval quickly became a key spot for Australian rules football in Tasmania. It also hosted the local Glenorchy Cricket Club and other sports. In the early days, simple grandstands and seating areas were built for fans.
Big Concerts and Upgrades (1980s)
In the 1980s, KGV Oval got some cool upgrades. They built grassy hills and more seating areas for people to watch games. During this time, KGV Oval also became a popular place for concerts in Hobart.
In 1987, a huge concert called Australian Made happened here. Famous bands like INXS, Jimmy Barnes, and Divinyls performed. It was a big deal because INXS and Jimmy Barnes sang "Good Times" together for the very first time!
Another famous band, Dire Straits, played two concerts in 1986. Over 20,000 people came to one show, and 18,000 to the other! Other music legends like Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, and Kenny Rogers also performed at KGV Oval.
However, KGV Oval didn't host big concerts for long. A new indoor venue, the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC), opened in 1989. It was better for big shows because it was indoors and could host events later at night. KGV Oval was in a neighborhood, so noise was a concern.
The Cresswell-Beakley Stand Fire and Rebuilding (2007-2010)
In October 2007, something sad happened. The Cresswell-Beakley Stand, a building at KGV Oval since 1962, was badly damaged by a fire. The fire caused a lot of damage, costing over $600,000. This stand was special because it had a curved wooden ceiling.
But KGV Oval didn't stay down for long! A brand new, modern version of the stand was finished in 2010. It had better seats, rooms for events, and improved access for everyone.
In 2009, the Southern Football League (Tasmania) (SFL) decided to move its offices and big final games to KGV Oval. As part of the upgrades, the government helped pay for new, bright lights for TV broadcasts and a new electronic scoreboard. The new lights were first used in 2011 for a TSL football match. A record crowd of 8,480 people came to watch that game!
KGV Sports and Community Precinct (2010s)
In the 2010s, the Glenorchy City Council made a big plan for KGV Oval. They wanted to make it a "Sports and Community Precinct." This meant turning it into a place for many different community activities, not just sports.
As part of this plan, the KGV Sports and Community Centre opened in 2015. This new center now hosts all sorts of community and sports events. It's a busy hub for people in the local area.
What's Happening Now
KGV Oval is still a very important place for the Glenorchy community. It continues to host major events, including the offices and final games for the Southern Football League. It's a key spot for both sports and community fun.
What KGV Oval Has
KGV Oval has a really big playing field, measuring 160 meters long and 134 meters wide. This makes it one of the largest football grounds in Tasmania.
There are two main grandstands where fans can sit:
- The rebuilt Cresswell-Beakley Stand.
- The Anfield Street Stand, built in 1981.
The Glenorchy Football Club has its clubrooms between these two stands. These rooms were built in 1968. They have changing rooms for players, offices, a social club, and a snack bar.
Near one end of the oval, you'll find the Glenorchy Cricket Club's clubhouse and cricket practice nets.
Big Crowds at KGV Oval
KGV Oval has seen some huge crowds, especially for important football finals.
For example, on April 2, 2011, a Tasmanian State League game between Glenorchy and Clarence drew 8,480 fans. This was a record attendance for the venue!
Another big crowd of 6,907 people came on September 25, 2011, for the SFL Grand Final. That game was between New Norfolk and Kingborough.
Getting to KGV Oval
KGV Oval is easy to get to because it's right in the middle of Glenorchy. You can take Metro Tasmania buses from Hobart City and other nearby areas. There isn't a lot of parking right at the stadium. So, during big events, people often park on nearby streets or in other parking lots.
