Adelaide Oval plan

[sjt]

BREAKING NEWS: AFL matches will be played at a revitalised Adelaide Oval within three years under a deal brokered by the State Government with the SACA and SANFL.

The government will provide $450 million towards the redevelopment with a formal contract involving all parties to be signed in July.

The new stadium will be administered by a new authority chaired by Ian McLachlan from SACA and with SANFL general manager Leigh Whicker as chief executive.

Premier Mike Rann, Treasurer Kevin Foley and sporting officials attended the announcement this morning in the Gil Langley Room at Adelaide Oval.

It is understood AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou was in Adelaide last night for talks with Mr Foley as part of the final negotiations on the ground-breaking deal.

After the announcement this morning, Mr Demetriou said the development would produce "an iconic venue in the heart of the city that retains the charm of Adelaide Oval".

"From the AFL's perspective, we are very very grateful to have had a small part in helping cricket and football come together as they should," he said.

"I can assure you there'll be thousands and thousands more Victorians who come over."

Mr Whicker said it was an exciting move for the state.

"I thank the Premier and the Deputy Premier and the Rann Government for firstly their on-going support to our great game," he said.

"Today is just another endorsement of the confidence of the Rann Government in both the major sports here in SA - football and cricket.

Mr McLachlan described the plan as "an excellent result".

"I think it will be just wonderful when it comes to fruition," he said.

"I don't seen impediments that will get in our way because the good will is quite spectacularly good.

"I think many South Australians hoped this would happen."

The Government's $200 million includes the $100 million already earmarked for AAMI Stadium, $100 million from the Commonwealth and $200 million through the deferral of extending the tram line to West Lakes for two years.

The Government had already said that $100 million earmarked for stadium development at AAMI Stadium could be recommitted to Adelaide Oval if the SANFL and SACA could reach agreement on staging AFL matches there.

The Government move is being seen in political circles as an attempt to derail the Opposition's $1 billion city west stadium plan announced by Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond last week.

The Government has bitterly attacked the plan since it was announced and in Parliament yesterday used Question Time to give both Mr Foley, Environment Minister Jay Weatherill, Transport Minister Patrick Conlon and Sport Minister Michael Wright the opportunity to oppose the Liberal "vision".

[Sojourner]

So what they are saying is that they are pulling the current funding out of Football Park and will not be extending the Train Line to Football Park in favour of spending that coin on Adelaide Oval instead?

[Big Phil]

The picture of what the oval would look like from the AFL website is impressive...

[Dogwatcher]

Whatever will the North Adelaide residents think?

[Bum Crack]

Whatever will the North Adelaide residents think?

They can sell up and move to Westlakes. Will be nice and quiet there.

[leftlegger]

Bloody brilliant!!!

now lets see if it ever happens

[once_were_warriors]

I'd like too see the final details in regards to the spilt in income from the ground and expenduiture on the ground before getting too excited.

What happens to Football Park? Does the SANFL retain it as an asset, to sell off as housing development.

What is the effect on SANFL clubs dividends?

I'll give it 3 matches in before the Crowies and Paps complain about the car parking and distance to walk from the railway station or bus stop.


Election Propaganda at its finest. First the Libs and now the Labs

[Hondo]

It sounds like AAMI Stadium will be retained as a training, admin and social base of the Crows

It's only the match day part transferring to the AO

If the SANFL are getting at least as much of the match day revenue from the AO as they do currently then there shouldn't be any financial impact and there may be upside if the attendances increase. In theory, SANFL club dividends shouldn't be impacted.

As for whether AAMI gets used for SANFL matches I don't know. I'd doubt it. So longer term I have no idea what happens to Footy Park - the Crows only need an oval to train on, not an entire Stadium. Probably some of the spare space can get sold for housing development.

Sounds like RIP Footy Park

[Booney]

Nobody has said it's a balls-an-all move from Footy Park, have they?

[Wedgie]

Yet another reason to vote for the Libs next election.

[westies sarge]

from what ive heard is that the crows will remain at aami both playing and training and the powderpuffs will play their home games at AO as aami has a capacity of 54,000 where as the new AO will only have 48-50,000 so why would the crows move their games to a stadium with less seating???/its hard enough getting a ticket to a crows home game now letalone if they move to a stadium with less capicity

[Hondo]

The Crows are playing home games at AO under the plan:

http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

[Dogwatcher]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

The planned upgrade for Adelaide Oval, which includes a 55,000 seating capacity and more undercover areas, would see AAMI Stadium downgraded to a secondary venue.

The Crows have only just moved into their new training facility adjoining AAMI Stadium, but chief executive Steven Trigg said the club still in supported the move.

“While the club has recently completed a $21 million upgrade of its training and entertainment facility at West Lakes, the business model remains intact despite a potential move of games to Adelaide Oval”, Trigg told afc.com.au.

“Tthe club’s training and administration base stays at AAMI Stadium, and the commercial activities remain. The match day activities and revenue would be enhanced in a move to Adelaide Oval".

Port Adelaide, which has struggled with dwindling crowds at AAMI Stadium, were rumoured to be strong advocates of a potential move to the more accessible Adelaide Oval.

[UK Fan]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/87758/default.aspx

Port Adelaide, which has struggled with dwindling crowds at AAMI Stadium, were rumoured to be strong advocates of a potential move to the more accessible Adelaide Oval.

I don't get this, isn't AAMI in the traditional heartland of Port Adelaide's supporter base? Obviously not all their fans live the Port area but a fair proportion surely live within a close proximity to West Lakes.

If someone can't be bothered to travel from the western suburbs to West Lakes to watch them, why on earth would they go to the city??

[gossipgirl]

hmmm do I smell an election nearby. For both the Libs and Labour show me the money ???? Where is the money coming from ? Will it ever really happen ?

[wycbloods]

Yet another reason to vote for the Libs next election.

Another, i haven't seen one yet. .

[gossipgirl]

Yet another reason to vote for the Libs next election.

Another, i haven't seen one yet. .

I agree with you, surely wedgie was being sarcastic

[Wedgie]

Yet another reason to vote for the Libs next election.

Another, i haven't seen one yet. .

Mike Rann is the other. I could go into dumb tram extensions, putting a hospital in the worst possible spot and stupid road works that achieve nothing but costs lots but that would be off topic.

1 reason is enough though.

[Voice]

Hopefully it goes through well. AAMI is the worst place in Australia to watch footy (although I've been told Subi ain't real flash either) and the most inaccesable.
It will also be good for pubs and clubs in the city as many people will go for a few bevvies after a game. The only thing to do after a game at AAMI is sit in your car for an hour before you get out of the grounds.

[Mark_Beswick]

So does that mean the gate - superboxes... - Food 7 catering etc.. on AFL Matchdays go to the SANFL or is this split with the SACA.

What does the SACA give up?

What will happen to footy park - How can we keep a stadium that size and not use it. It will be a white elephant. How much will it cost to maintain a stadium that isnt being used.

It will be interesting to see the devil that is the detail.

I'm a long way from convinced it will benefit SANFL clubs.