Omicron wrote:The SACA and Adelaide United would just
love the idea of the SANFL owning their multi-purpose stadium outright.
While the SACA have total control over their own venue in the best possible location in all of Adelaide I don't see why they should be given any involvement in a new stadium at all. Unless, of course, they are prepared to relinquish their own hold on Adelaide Oval and allow that site to be the home of any new modern stadium they really should be excluded from this entire discussion.
As for Adelaide United, any multi-purpose stadium of the size required to by the SANFL/AFL would be too big for them so they probably wouldn't even use it regularly anyway and they'd stay where they are, playing the occassional blockbuster there. And frankly, for the occasions that Adelaide United/the Socceroos would use such a venue then I'm sure they'd be content to simply pay for its use, like they do now, and like they would if the ground were owned by any other orgnaisation. Adelaide United don't own Hindfmarsh so this is not much different.
I know it was a long time ago but the land for Adelaide Oval was given or sold to the SACA. I see no reason why the same can't be done with some West Parkland being given to the SANFL giving them full, or near full, control over it. It's what cricket have with Adelaide Oval, afterall. Something of this magnitude is never going to be built by a government alone. So private ownership is essential somewhere along the line. Why can't that private owner be the SANFL? Of course, the Government will have to assist, which they do anyway with AAMI and most other stadiums around the country, privately owned or not.
The SANFL/AFL is the key. No other sports have the finances or the regular attendances to do it. They must be tempted by the Government/ACC to be the major or even sole player in such a venture. And if that incentive is to give them full control, then so be it, as far as I'm concerned.