A football-centric early learning centre and community hub has been proposed for the Mount Barker region, with the Adelaide Football Club central to developing plans for the innovative facility.
Partnering with highly-regarded and family-owned childcare provider, Kool Beanz Academy, the facility would be located adjacent to the Summit Sport and Recreation Park to create a year-round destination designed to complement existing sporting, recreation and community uses.
The proposed childcare centre, which is subject to planning and approval processes, would be developed by Leyton Property and fully operated by Kool Beanz Academy – under the leadership of industry veterans Bruce and Carolyne Coulson.
The Club would embed its successful education, participation and wellbeing programs to support local children and families.
Mount Barker District Council is supportive of the proposal given its focus on supporting families and enabling high-quality community infrastructure in one of South Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
The Crows-themed centre is proposed to provide care for more than 100 children, supporting the increasing demand and needs of the local community.
Crows CEO Tim Silvers said the Club – through its Adelaide Crows Foundation – would also conduct its successful school-based mental health and STEM programs, as well as junior football clinics, in the Adelaide Hills.
“We see this as an opportunity to establish a permanent presence in the region and connect with local families,” Silvers said.
“Our role in this project is as a community and brand partner, to offer family engagement opportunities and support the overall vision of the precinct.
“Importantly, it will allow us to make a positive impact on young people in Mount Barker and surrounding areas through the delivery of our evidence-based programs which support wellbeing and education.”
Kool Beanz Academy Founder Bruce Coulson said Mount Barker is an ideal location for the organisation’s first childcare centre in South Australia.
“Mount Barker is an ideal location for Kool Beanz given it sits only 30 minutes from the CBD of Adelaide and is one of the fastest growing regions, with a population of 46,000 residents, growing annually at 3.5%,” Coulson said.
“In addition, the region is home to one of the Crows’ biggest supporter bases, so it makes perfect sense. This centre will be like no other in Australia.”
Mount Barker Mayor David Leach said the proposal reflected the needs of a district experiencing significant growth and the Council’s proactive approach to attracting new investment.
“As our community grows, so must our services. Supporting families, improving access to early learning and activating the Summit Sport and Recreation Park through Adelaide Football Club-led junior clinics helps create a precinct for all ages,” he said.
“It’s encouraging to see organisations such as the Adelaide Football Club and Kool Beanz Academy recognising the growth happening in Mount Barker and looking to invest in our community.”
The development is proposed for a vacant area of land near the Heysen Boulevard entrance to the Summit Sport and Recreation Park, which is surplus to the future sporting and recreation needs and provides an injection of commercial revenue to support the ongoing operations of the broader facility.
The development includes a single-level childcare facility as well as multiple outdoor play zones and an open-air car park. The proposal will be assessed through standard planning process. Pending approval, construction by developer Leyton Property is scheduled to begin in 2027.
