Adelaide Oval plan
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:13 amBREAKING 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".
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".
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