Adelaide Football Club Early Learning Centre
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.
As a part of the partnership Adelaide Football Club would embed its successful education, participation, and wellbeing programs to support local children and families in the Mount Barker District.
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 approximately 100 children, supporting the increasing demand and needs of the local community.
Proposed location and next steps
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, multiple outdoor play zones and an open-air car park. It will be assessed through the standard planning process. Pending approval, construction by developer Leyton Property is scheduled to begin in 2027.
For any enquiries regarding the childcare centre, please email Crows@afc.com.au
Frequently asked questions
The Adelaide Football Club is partnering with Mount Barker District Council, Kool Beanz Childcare and Leyton Property to develop a state-of-the-art childcare facility at Summit Sport and Recreation Park (SSRP) in Mount Barker. The new facility will be called the Crows Kool Beanz Childcare Centre. This is the first childcare centre for Kool Beanz in South Australia and builds on the success of similar joint ventures with AFL teams Gold Coast Suns (Queensland) and Western Bulldogs (Victoria).
The Crows Kool Beanz Childcare Centre will be built on a vacant area of land near the Heysen Boulevard entrance to the SSRP. This area is surplus to the future sporting and recreation needs of the SSRP. The entire development will cover an area of approximately 4,000m2 and includes a single-level childcare facility as well as multiple outdoor play zones and an open-air carpark.
The centre has capacity to care for approximately 100 children.
The centre will create approximately 20 new childcare employment opportunities when operating at full capacity.
Council owns the land at SSRP where the Crows Kool Beanz Childcare Centre will be developed. Council is leasing the land long-term to developer Leyton Property who will build the childcare centre. When completed, Kool Beanz will lease the premises from Leyton Property and be responsible for operating the Crows Kool Beanz Childcare Centre. As part of this collaboration, the Adelaide Football Club will maintain an ongoing presence in Mount Barker District working with Council to deliver a series of community programs and initiatives.
Through their partnership with Council, the Adelaide Football Club and Adelaide Crows Foundation have committed to delivering the following community activations in Mount Barker district:
Train Like A Crow
A school holiday program at SSRP for up to 350 children aged 5 to 14 years where they can develop their football skills and build confidence in physical activities.
Crows Academy Programs
An annual school holiday talent development and identification program at SSRP for up to 50 male and 50 female participants to nurture, attract and inspire them towards playing in the AFL or AFLW competitions.
STEM Football In Schools
Funding for up to 500 Mount Barker district school students to participate in AFL STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workshops showing how these subjects can be practically applied to the game of football.
Open Parachute Mental Health Program
Funding for up to 2,000 Mount Barker district school students to participate in an evidence-based mental health program which teaches practical strategies for managing stress and emotional challenges to build resilience and wellbeing.
These activations will be provided to young people for free and at no cost to Mount Barker District Council.
Council’s vision for Mount Barker district is to be the most liveable region in South Australia by 2044 and this development will help us achieve several strategic objectives outlined in our Community Plan.
Mount Barker is the second largest city in South Australia with an increasing number of young families. Council is focused on creating inclusive environments for children and young people where they can thrive, feel valued, and have the skills and resources to reach their full potential. The Crows Kool Beanz Childcare Centre will provide a nurturing and safe environment where the district’s youngest residents can grow and develop.
One of Council’s goals is to enhance the accessibility and quality of public spaces for recreation, social interaction, wellbeing and environmental sustainability. The community programs and initiatives which the Adelaide Football Club and Adelaide Crows Foundation will deliver under their partnership with Council will see SSRP utilised so young people can engage in physical activity and build friendships.
Council is committed to cultivating a diverse and connected business environment where enterprises flourish and local employment opportunities are created. The entry of Kool Beanz to the local childcare sector will create employment so more residents can work where they live without having to travel outside the district for employment.
Council is striving to create a local economy that is diverse, resilient, dynamic and sustainable. The collaboration between Council, Leyton Property, Adelaide Football Club and Kool Beanz at SSRP shows what can be achieved when innovation and entrepreneurship combine to meet local demand and support the district’s growth.
A Development Application (DA) will be lodged shortly with Plan SA for assessment and approval.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 pending development approval.
The centre is anticipated to open to the community by the end of 2027.
Adelaide Football Club’s strategic collaboration with Council does not guarantee the club will play AFL matches at SSRP. However, AFC is committed to supporting Council’s advocacy efforts with key stakeholders to host more AFL, AFLW and SANFL programs and activities at SSRP.