AFL at Adelaide Oval
SACA signs letter of intent for SMA
On Tuesday 31 August the State Government announced its full support for the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval, establishing it as the centrepiece of a newly developed $1 billion Riverbank Precinct.
The South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) and the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) issued letters of intent reaffirming their commitment to the proposed joint venture at the Adelaide Oval.
The State Government has indicated it is satisfied its offer of financial assistance should stand and that it will provide $5 million from its total contribution of $535 million to progress the planning phase from concept to detailed design work.
All parties have now been given further time to engage with their members and associated stakeholders and to attend to any necessary legal requirements.
From a SACA perspective the next step in this process will be the hosting of a second SMA information night for SACA members.
It will coincide with this year’s AGM on being held on Wednesday 29 September 2010.
A meeting notice containing information about the AGM and the information session will be posted to all SACA members in early September.
This is an information session only and will not involve any voting.
Resolutions to permit the Stadium Management Authority proposal (i.e. the joint venture with SANFL) to proceed will occur at a Special General Meeting held later this year. Further information about the proposal including details of the vote will be provided to members prior to that meeting.
A three-part presentation by Cox Architechts highlighting the Stadium Management Authority's concept plans (at July 2010) for the proposed redevelopment of a 50,000 seat Adelaide Oval. Click thumbnails to view.
View from the Historic Scoreboard and Northern Mound showing the redeveloped Adelaide Oval , complementary to the Western Grandstand.
KEY FACTS OF DESIGN CONCEPTS
- The seating capacity of Adelaide Oval under these proposed design concepts will be 50,000.
- The current concept designs will deliver 77% of seats under cover. This compares favorably with other stadia, with 75% coverage at the MCG, 68% at the SCG and 78% at the GABBA.
- There will be more than 2,000 dining spaces as well as hospitality suites, open boxes, open bars, BBQ terraces and food courts.
In addition, the design concepts demonstrate the replacement of SACA facilities including indoor training facilities, the relocation of the Bradman Collection, new SACA offices and more.
Aerial view from the North East looking back towards the City of Adelaide, highlighting the preservation of Park 26, Creswell Gardens, the Northern Mound and Morton Bay Fig trees.
FOOTBALL FAN FACILITY
There will be a football fan facility similar to the “Crows Shed” and the “Hanger” at AAMI Stadium. It will be of equal size and will have equivalent facilities to the new Crows Westpac Centre with the capacity to hold more than 3,000 patrons. This facility will be located within the stadium.
This facility will also accommodate a new state-of-the-art indoor training facility and gym for cricket and other sports.
PUBLIC SPACES
The southern entry to the stadium will be via a public terrace which will be connected to the city by a new footbridge.This terrace will be similar in size to Federation Square in Melbourne and can be used by fans pre and post match and for other public events. A new event plaza or similar size to Federation Square, creates a new entry identity at Adelaide Oval.
Looking down on War Memorial Drive showing a strong connection from the pedestrian footbridge to the new events plaza and arrival experience at Adelaide Oval.
CAR PARKING
The SMA is putting together a comprehensive, detailed transport strategy that includes car parking, public transport and park and ride elements. The SMA is targeting 3800 car parks adjacent to the stadium that is football’s minimum requirements.
The SMA is also investigating a car park under the tennis courts that would become an extension of the Next Generation car park. If viable, this would be commercially funded and will not require any State Government funding. The lawn tennis courts will also remain.
There are currently 2,100 existing car parks on the parklands surrounding Adelaide Oval that are currently used. There are no plans to increase that number. These match day car parks can be used for tail gate BBQs. There will not be an above ground multi-storey car park in the parklands.
View from above King William Street highlighting the proposed pedestrian bridge connection between the City, Adelaide Railway Station, Festival Theatre and Adelaide Oval.
FINANCIAL UPLIFT
The SMA is following a structured process and is undertaking several activities to meet the State Government deadline of August 31st 2010. Determining the uplift for the Port Adelaide Football Club and the Adelaide Football Club is one of the key activities to be met by the 31 August 2010 deadline.
PROJECT COST
These concepts are not final designs, and therefore the costings are not final. The SMA are undertaking a comprehensive value engineering and design optimisation process which will further refine all elements of the project.
The SMA understands the State Government’s funding contribution is $535 million, including the $85 million payment to the SACA for its assets and facilities, and that it will not fund any costs in excess of the $535 million.
At the conclusion of the design phase a construction budget will be agreed. Final costs will be determined following the conclusion of a transparent tender process. Anything in excess of Government funding will be a matter for the SMA to consider.
THE SMA
The SMA is a joint venture between the South Australian Cricket Association and the South Australian National Football League. The SMA aims to bring football and cricket together at a newly-developed Adelaide Oval, creating a world-class stadium in the heart of Adelaide.
DESIGNERS
The SMA design team consists of a team of leading architects, engineers and urban planners, including Cox Architects and Planners, Jackson Architecture, Walter Brooke, Aurecon, QED and Bestec. Their collective expertise includes projects such as Etihad Stadium, the MCG redevelopment, The GABBA, Melbourne rectangular stadium, SUNCORP Stadium, Wembley Stadium (UK) and Eden Park (NZ).
PROJECT DIRECTORS
There are eight unpaid Directors of the SMA, with cricket and football represented equally. The Directors are:
- Ian McLachlan (Chairman)
- Leigh Whicker (CEO)
- Creagh O'Connor
- John Bannon
- John Harnden
- Rod Payze
- James Coppins
- Phil Gallagher
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
WORKING GROUPS
The SMA has established two key working parties: the Precinct and Stadium Development Group and the Financial and Membership Group.
- The Precinct and Stadium Group is responsible for the developing feasibility plans and risk assessments for the precinct and stadium redevelopment, including design, transport and car parking, development and construction.
- The Finance and Membership Group is responsible for developing a financial model and risk assessments for the stadium, including rental and ground management fees, membership models, costing and distribution frameworks.
PROCESS
The 50,000 seat redevelopment of Adelaide Oval is still at the proposal stage. The SMA is following a structured process and is undertaking several activities to meet the State Government deadline of 31 August 2010. The key activities include:
- Finalisation of the design concept following consultation with key stakeholders.
- Reaching agreement on the Adelaide Oval Precinct extent and planning to accommodate the stadium operations.
- Finalisation of the financial modelling to determine the uplift for the Port Adelaide Football Club and the Adelaide Football Club.
- Further consultation with SACA Members and the SANFL Board representing the South Australian football clubs.
- Finalisation of an agreement between cricket and football that ensures that the new precinct and stadium is operated for the benefit of the SACA/SANFL and the people of South Australia.
THE PRECINCT
The ‘Precinct’ is bounded by King William Street, Memorial Drive, Montefiore Road and Pennington Terrace.