The Adelaide Football Club’s plans to build a new training, administration and community facility at Thebarton have received a significant boost with the Malinauskas Government providing the Crows with $15m in funding.
While the financial support is another major milestone, the Club is still required to undertake a second phase of community consultation and then an approval process, working closely with the City of West Torrens and its Masterplan Advisory Group.
Thebarton Oval and the adjacent Kings Reserve were identified as the best location for the proposed development, as the area meets the Crows’ long-term requirements for a new world class headquarters.
Importantly, it will become the training and match day home for the Club’s elite women’s team, which will have access to industry-leading development and high-performance facilities.
The Malinauskas Government will also invest a further $10m in works to improve open, green community space and amenities in and around the area.
Crows Chairman John Olsen described the Thebarton Oval Precinct as the biggest undertaking in the Club’s history, adding it would underpin a football-first focus and deliver high performance advantages for male and female athletes and coaches.
The proposed facility will bring benefits for Adelaide’s large member and supporter base, and corporate partners, as well as residents and traders, community groups and broader South Australian public.
This project will also see Thebarton Oval open to public use for the first time in decades.
“We have made solid progress, and this latest funding announcement is crucial to fulfilling our ambition,” Mr Olsen said.
“We have always held the view that the Club’s financial sustainability must never be jeopardised while trying to deliver such an ambitious project.
“We are very appreciative of the Government’s support and its solution-focussed approach to helping us find a long-term home that supports our teams, talent academies and large member and supporter base, while meeting the needs of residents.
“This is much more than a sporting and community hub where the public has access to revamped green space and new facilities and amenities.
“It will drive about $980m in economic activity over the next two decades, as well as support more than 460 jobs annually over that period, so the overall benefits are far reaching.”
The Malinauskas Government’s financial contribution complements the $15m already secured at a Federal level, while there are extensive and ongoing discussions with other possible funding sources. The Club will also be investing its own funds, as well as taking on a debt position.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the new look Thebarton Oval would be a multi-purpose training facility for elite female and male athletes, as well as accommodate community use.
“Thebarton Oval hasn’t been open for public use for decades – we are changing that,” Premier Malinauskas said.
“The Crows have led the way in the growth of AFLW in South Australia, and I’m excited the women and girls of my two daughters’ generation – and beyond – will have access to facilities and a dedicated home ground like the one planned for Thebarton Oval.
“The new precinct will be open for people to use for exercise, walk their dogs or spend time with their family and friends.”
The Club remains committed to having a secondary oval, which will be smaller than initially planned until stage two of the development is complete in line with the South Road tunnels in 2031.
“Our wish has always been to deliver a win-win outcome for all parties, along with the game of football more broadly in this State, and we are definitely heading towards doing that,” Mr Olsen said.
