I've come to a conclusion.
Seeing as AAMI Stadium looks to be securely located as the city's football venue and the hospital appears set to be built on the railyards site. Really, we already have our inner-city stadium. It's called Adelaide Oval.
Following standard procedure in raising the profile of a tourism destination (finally I can put this to use after learning Tourism concepts in school) there are 3 factors that assist in ensuring the success of a tourism destination. They are attractions, accessibility, and amenities.
- It's centrally located, right in the middle of the city and North Adelaide. Accessibility +1.
The surrounding location is a sports precinct, training grounds opposite the oval, tennis courts, Memorial Stadium adjacent. Attraction +1, Amenities +1.
The proposed footbridge will enhance access. Accessibility +1
It'll be recieving a substantial upgrade to 40,000 seats and improved member facilites. Amenities +1.
Any future tramline extension to North Adelaide will again improve accessibility to the venue. Accessibility +1.
An underground carpark has been proposed adjacent the stadium. Accessibility +1
SACA are open to other events utilising the venue - A-League fixtures, rugby, cricket, concerts, etc. Attractions +1.
And it's the world's best and most pictureseque ground. Attractions +1
Further investment in public facilites - improved seating, toilets, kiosks, lighting, and other consumer convinience goods. Amenities +1.
The only thing that negates Adelaide Oval is its capacity constraint, without further jeopardising its character and image, but I think with substantial effort and consideration, we can cater for a temporary capacity of 50,000. An idea of mine, would involve demolishing the Bradman stand, and rebuilding a larger stand that connects to the current Member's stand. Whilst this would marginally lift capacity (an extra 2-3k), any increase is an increase after all.
Honestly, after much thought, and I mean a lot of thought. We do not need another stadium, we already have a sporting precinct (its just under-utilised at the moment) and given the chance to invest in the area, the economic benefit would outweigh the returns given back into the city moreso than any new $1.5b stadium on the railyards. A $50m tramline extension, a $200k footbridge, a $90m upgrade, and another $100m or so on improving things here and there is much, much cheaper than any $1.5b stadium.