[COM] Adelaide Oval Redevelopment

[Ben]

I have been unable to buy seats at a game since they have moved to Adelaide oval. The seats sell out straight away or are singular only or are right up the top of the western stand. I always can only get general admission. You would think the "hype" of the new oval has died down and this is the new norm therefore it's too small.

Seats are never sold to the public for the Western stands so not sure where you're trying to get tickets from.

My bad, eastern too many beers yesterday

[Norman]

Surely in this day and age they will find a way to incorporate the old scoreboard in the next stand

[claybro]

Did I mention the grass is dead and it's literally a mud mound. What I'd suggest is some sort of temporary grandstand for football season and return to grass for summer and cricket season.

The grass mound was always going to turn to mud. It is permanently in the shade during winter and would struggle even without 10000 patrons trampling it weekly.
Good suggestion Ben. I would advocate removable seats for winter over the mound, re-grass for summer and a permanent rebuild of the western stand to match the Eastern stands. Would make the stadium more symmetrical and allow the keeping of the "iconic" northern end and also give the extra capacity required.

[Patrick_27]

I can perhaps see a Western Stand expansion. But those of you holding out for a Northern Stand will be waiting a lifetime, it'll never happen. If it were going to happen, they'd have done it when they underwent the redevelopment and faced the public backlash then. People will be even more opposed to the idea in the future, the argument will be "we've gone this long with the current stadium, why do we need the extra capacity?" or "expanding the western stand will be cheaper". If anything, the powers that be will probably elect for a temp stand to be built when it's needed, and I agree with such a solution. Look at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, they erected a temp stand for the main stadium and they'll do the same for Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. I think development can only go so far, and those of you demanding a Northern Stand obviously don't have much compassion for historic elements that make such a ground what it is.

[crawf]

I can perhaps see a Western Stand expansion. But those of you holding out for a Northern Stand will be waiting a lifetime, it'll never happen. If it were going to happen, they'd have done it when they underwent the redevelopment and faced the public backlash then.

If the SANFL and SACA can unite as one and allow AFL to permanently play at Adelaide Oval, anything is possible.

[Nathan]

Whilst I think the oval redevelopment was great, enough money has been spent on it. We won't see any expansion for a considerable amount of time.

[ghs]

It can't be expanded very easily. The old scoreboard is heritage. 53,500 will be
the capacity for a lot of years to come.

It wouldn't be worth knocking down the western stand in a few years time just to gain
an extra five thousand seats.

[SuperEgz]

Sunday 19th July 2015: Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide, Australian Football
Crowd: 54,468 (Biggest AFL crowd in South Australia ever)



Monday 20th July 2015: Adelaide United vs. Liverpool, Soccer
Crowd: 53,008 (Biggest soccer crowd in South Australia ever)


Well done South Australia! I never thought I would see such large crowds in Adelaide 2 days in a row.

[claybro]

From the perspective of an expat currently living interstate, I have to say, the oval development has done more for the image of SA than anything probably since the Gran Prix. Virtually the only news that comes into the media here in Perth relating to Adelaide is usually about AO. And not just the football scores. Everyone in the office this morning was talking about why last nights game was in Adelaide and how magnificent the oval looked. Straight on the back of the massive crowd and close game the day before. Also, word is out in the football world about how good a footy trip to Adelaide is with the proximity of the oval to the CBD and casino precinct etc. Compare that to the billion dollar stadium being built here in Perth, with associated multi million dollar footbridge over the swan...well there is no comparison. Sure, the Perth stadium will be of larger capacity and more state of the art...but the location is not realistically a comfortable walk from the CBD here over even a re-developed East End. Sure, it may be close to Crown Casino at Burswood, but the overall experience will not even come close for variety of after game destinations. Friends back in Adelaide rave about heading into the city for the footy at AO.

[Wayno]

Thanks for the feedback Claybro. Good to hear.

Not wanting to derail this topic, but what would you consider the 'next cab off the rank' as far as SA & Adelaide getting more street cred from interstate and overseas? Not asking for sake of vanity, instead what will help generate positive stories, more tourists, maybe even more business? It's the vibe...

[ghs]

The next cab off the rank for Adelaide as far as I am concerned would be more buildings in the city and better night life.

We should see about 15 new buildings in the city over the next couple of years and in terms of night life, the casino redevelopment
should help with that.

[Honey of a City]

I can perhaps see a Western Stand expansion. But those of you holding out for a Northern Stand will be waiting a lifetime, it'll never happen. If it were going to happen, they'd have done it when they underwent the redevelopment and faced the public backlash then. People will be even more opposed to the idea in the future, the argument will be "we've gone this long with the current stadium, why do we need the extra capacity?" or "expanding the western stand will be cheaper". If anything, the powers that be will probably elect for a temp stand to be built when it's needed, and I agree with such a solution. Look at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, they erected a temp stand for the main stadium and they'll do the same for Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. I think development can only go so far, and those of you demanding a Northern Stand obviously don't have much compassion for historic elements that make such a ground what it is.

The SACA members would never have voted for the redevelopment if the iconic scoreboard, fig trees and hill were to be replaced with a stand. It was the ultimate compromise that allowed to project to go ahead, and as it turns out it's what makes the Oval unique. The atmosphere is far better with a near -capacity/sell-out crowd nearly every week, than at the MCG and Stadium Australia which regularly have tens of thousands of empty seats. I reckon the planners got this one right, at least for the next 10-20 years. If they ever did build a northern stand the scoreboard would still be a drawcard if moved to the park outside as a shrine, near the cathedral - it's historical and spiritual partner.

[Wayno]

The SACA members would never have voted for the redevelopment if the iconic scoreboard, fig trees and hill were to be replaced with a stand. It was the ultimate compromise that allowed to project to go ahead, and as it turns out it's what makes the Oval unique.

Correct

The atmosphere is far better with a near -capacity/sell-out crowd nearly every week, than at the MCG and Stadium Australia which regularly have tens of thousands of empty seats.

Correct!

I reckon the planners got this one right, at least for the next 10-20 years.

Correct!!

If they ever did build a northern stand the scoreboard would still be a drawcard if moved to the park outside as a shrine, near the cathedral - it's historical and spiritual partner.

Correct!!!

Give that man a prize!

[claybro]

Not wanting to derail this topic, but what would you consider the 'next cab off the rank' as far as SA & Adelaide getting more street cred from interstate and overseas? Not asking for sake of vanity, instead what will help generate positive stories, more tourists, maybe even more business? It's the vibe...

I would say building proper horse racing facilities and returning racing to Vic Park, erecting lights and holding summer twilight racing in the city, with some decent prize money and good interstate horses would create a real buzz. Remember the hysteria of Black Caviar? These things put Adelaide on the map via the late night news bulletins and televised crosses to the race.(the ones from Syddennny that routinely ignore all things SA)
As an immediate impact, get some money immediately into the riverbank precinct to wow the already thousands of interstate visitors at AO. As aforementioned, light shows, water shows, cafes and an updated/indoor Memorial Drive tennis centre showcasing current stars of tennis and moving the 36ers from the shoddy set up at Beverly to the city would bring immediate results. Lets face it, most of our tourists are via sport, gambling and family visits.

[Vee]

SACA and the Adelaide establishment would not have agreed to the redevelopment of AO if it affected the heritage listed scoreboard (removal) or the grand old Moreton Bay trees and, to a lesser extent, the views of St Peter's Cathedral and glimpses of the park lands and hills (from the Western stand).

The cost of an additional (northern) grandstand would likely have been prohibitive and might have jeopardized the construction of the (now indispensable) footbridge with more $ needed.

The current capacity appears to be optimal with sellouts for Showdowns and special events but high patronage for the rest and this adds to the atmosphere. The AO, in its present configuration, is unique. How good does it look on TV? And it gets huge plaudits from I/S and O/S folk, including social media.

It's possible that a relocation of the old scoreboard to Oval No 2 will be accepted in time, especially with a more diverse demographic and different attitudes. High visibility at No. 2 and proximity for the in demand tourist/visitor tours could do it. Not sure about the MB trees but agree with others that a temporary northern stand, to increase capacity for mega events, could be a solution for the next 20+ years. (Clipsal gets temporary stands built every year)

I attended both the Showdown and the Liverpool match and agree the atmosphere was fantastic. AO is a gem and its location and access via the footbridge adds to the appeal.
U
The Fan Zone (with big screens) on Elder Park, extended the experience by catering for fans unable to attend the two recent sold out events. And the mid-winter weather was perfect.