[DEF] AAMI Stadium Upgrade | $100m | 52,000

[Ho Really]

I would still prefer a Football (soccer) stadium at Thebarton, now that the Tram Line is going there.

Where at Thebarton?

Cheers

[Norman]

The location where AUFC proposed. Near Bonython Park I believe.

[Cruise]

The location where AUFC proposed. Near Bonython Park I believe.

Is there any funding for that?

[Norman]

The location where AUFC proposed. Near Bonython Park I believe.

Is there any funding for that?

http://www.sensational-adelaide.com/for ... 802#p28802

[Cruise]

Is there any state or federal funding towards this?

[Cruise]

The thread title should be changed. i just dug up an article that says $140 million will be spent.

http://www.australiansonline.net.au/new ... 261851.htm

The South Australian Government says an upgrade to make Football Park of international standard is a key feature of Thursday's state Budget.

Deputy Premier Kevin Foley says the level of taxpayer support for the work is appropriate.

"A $100 million investment by Government as part of a much larger redevelopment by the SANFL is the right balance of taxpayer involvement," he said.

The money will be spent over three years to put more seating under cover, modernise entrances, improve dining and bar facilities and add a new convention centre, linked to nearby West Lakes Mall shopping centre.

It is hoped eventually 70 per cent of spectators will be under cover.

Another $5 million will be split between the Crows and Port Power to upgrade their facilities.

Crows' chief executive Steven Trigg is pleased.

"With over a million visitors here to this stadium every year, over a million, it's a really exciting proposition in terms of taking the whole match day experience to another level," he said.

On top of the Government's $100 million, the SANFL will put in up to $40 million.

Leigh Whicker of the SANFL is looking forward to the work.

"We're looking at the long-term and the arrangement that we have reached with our two clubs and the State Government is one that we think gives us a good start," he said.

The SA Opposition has been quick to claim some credit, leader Martin Hamilton-Smith saying he was the one to suggest Adelaide needed a new stadium.

"Four months ago the Government hadn't even thought about this until the state Liberals put it on the agenda," he said.

The SA Government and the SANFL say the West Lakes redevelopment will bring Football Park up to an standard to host World Cup soccer matches.

Work is expected to start at the end of next year, but it is unclear how many AFL matches may be disrupted.

[Brando]

No real suprises here.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

Adelaide fails soccer World Cup national stadium audit

ADELAIDE is at risk of being excluded from Australia's bid for the 2018 soccer World Cup because an official audit finds the city does not have a suitable venue.

The Advertiser has learned an audit report, to be released within weeks by Football Federation Australia, is likely to highlight the significant shortcomings of AAMI Stadium.
Adelaide Oval was not evaluated as part of the process because it does not have enough seats.

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley yesterday refused to comment on the contents of the audit until he had spoken to the State Government, but said he believed Adelaide needed a new stadium.

"Adelaide is in danger of missing out on major Socceroos games and other major sporting events because it does not have a modern, first-class, multipurpose venue in the order of 50,000 to 60,000 seats which can host those sort of matches," he said.

"Spectator experience is a key driver for attendance. Proximity to the play, particularly for those (matches) played on rectangular venues, is crucial and somewhere like AAMI does not provide that."

Mr Buckley is the first chief of a major Australian sport to openly advocate a new stadium in Adelaide.

The SANFL remains confident it can sufficiently upgrade AAMI Stadium but there is now a possibility the FFA could put forward a bid without Adelaide, making it the only mainland state capital to miss out.

However, SANFL chief executive Leigh Whicker, who has not seen the report, yesterday said he was still confident AAMI Stadium could be made suitable once the findings of the audit report were known.

"I don't think there are any stadiums in Australia that will comply with the audit," he said.

"We are keen to see the audit so we know what we have to do to bring the stadium up to standard."

In its last Budget, the State Government said it would contribute $100 million to help fund the upgrade of AAMI Stadium.

At the time, Premier Mike Rann said the money was to "enhance the experience for spectators and users of AAMI Stadium, it will put us in a stronger position to compete for major events such as the World Cup soccer matches".

The SA and federal governments have also promised a combined $50 million to help build a new members' stand at Adelaide Oval.

Sport sources are now asking whether the money being directed towards AAMI Stadium and Adelaide Oval might be better used to help fund a new multipurpose stadium that would cater for a number of sports.

Mr Rann has consistently refused to consider using state funds to help build a new multipurpose stadium in the city and has criticised Liberal leader Martin Hamilton-Smith's commitment to construct a new venue.

State Sport Minister Michael Wright yesterday again criticised the Liberal's plan.

"The funding contribution to both the AAMI Stadium and Adelaide Oval redevelopments is more cost-effective than the Liberals' economically irresponsible proposal to spend well in excess of $1 billion on building a new stadium," Mr Wright said.

Federal Sport Minister Kate Ellis said it was "premature" to start talking about which states might miss out on World Cup matches.

"I am confident the Australian Government and the South Australian Government will be keen to ensure Adelaide does not miss out on hosting games in any successful World Cup bid," she said.

However, the lack of a suitable venue in Adelaide for soccer is likely to be highlighted again following Adelaide United's win against Kashima Antlers in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday.

A record 16,595 fans crammed into Hindmarsh Stadium and demand is likely to increase when United plays its semi-final against Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor on October 8.

Mr Buckley said it was unlikely the game could be moved to larger-capacity stadiums such as AAMI Stadium or Adelaide Oval.

"The semi-final of the Champions League is a good example," he said. "The Adelaide Oval would have the capacity to consider a bigger crowd, but we have the cricket pitches being prepared.

"At AAMI, which also has the capacity, you have the proximity to the play, which is a challenge."

A poll on AdelaideNow shows 84 per cent of respondents are in favour of a new soccer stadium being built in Adelaide.

Many also left comments calling for the Government to build a new central facility that could accommodate more spectators in greater comfort. "Come on Mike Rann, give (Adelaide United chairman) Dario (Fontanarosa) the land so he can build the stadium," said Simon of Adelaide.

[cruel_world00]

As much as it would pain me to see Adelaide by passed in the event of a World Cup etc, it's the only way someone like Rann will get the message. AAMI IS NOT WORTH OUR TIME OR MONEY. SHOW US VISION.

That is all.

[Düsseldorfer]

*cough just leave AAMI stadium as it is, the majority of the world watches Soccer (if we have the $$$ in the near future, we should build something like this):



just a guesstimate but it may cost between $300-$600million to build here in Adelaide

[crawf]

I think its laughable that Australia think's it has a chance to host the 2018 Fifa World Cup.

Plus if Adelaide misses out, Australia will miss out too due to FIFA requiring a number of stadiums and training facilities.

Though with AFL starting to die and the A-League getting much bigger, I can see a new large soccer stadium being built near the city in the future.

[cruel_world00]

As much as I would say that the A-League is definitely growing...where is your proof that AFL is dying?

The competition is expanding into growing area, viewers are up, advertising is up... I think the only thing that tends to be down are crowd figures in SA and I hazard a guess at the fault being AAMI stadium as well as the live or near live TV broadcasts.

[mattblack]

AFL starting to die? What a joke. 20-30,000 people to a match, still not a bad average turnout. With a inner city stadium with modern facilities, P/T, better viewing and a roof this will only enhance these figures. Now if you were going to say Rugby league is dying it is a little more educated and believable.

By the way AFL and the A-league do not compete against eachother, they have opposite seasons.

AAMI can never seriously hold a soccer match (MCG will never be used again either) for the same reason, distance from the play. I was at the united match at Adelaide oval and the distrance you were from the play if you were sitting at the ends was a joke. I have worked for West Ham United in the UK, thier stadium was nothing special but the view from all areas of the ground was excellent. You need to be close to the action to appreciate the game and this also gives atmosphere which I think that AAMI lacks most of the time anyway.

Unfortunately SANFL hold the cards at the mo, not the government. A inner city stadium will not be viable (OK, the A-league will bring in some money as well as concerts and events) unless the AFL are involved ( most lucrative sporting code in OZ) and the SANFL have all the rights to revenue from AAMI + Port and the Crows under thier wings. Why would they want to wave these rights to see revenue go to a stadium that does not belong to them?

AAMI well passed its prime. The AFL, and government have to make the SANFL a serious offer and this will not happen for a while yet which sucks. AFL is to concerned about Gold Coast and West Sydney and the government is to focused on water, road and rail infrastucture which, to be honest, is the way it should be. If Australia gets the nod for 2018 and Adelaide is omitted then the gov still has plenty of time to fast track any proposal to capitalise. Until then they will put it off as long as possible.

WE CANT HAVE EVERYTHING WE WANT STRAIGHT AWAY, BE PATIENT.

Cheers

[rhino]

the government is to focused on water, road and rail infrastucture which, to be honest, is the way it should be. .... WE CANT HAVE EVERYTHING WE WANT STRAIGHT AWAY, BE PATIENT.

HOORAY FOR COMMON SENSE!

[cruel_world00]

I have stated this time and time again, and most forumers who are pro-stadium have also agreed.... so I'm gonna try caps lock cos that seems to be the way to go with getting your point across:

NO ONE IS ASKING FOR THE STADIUM TOMORROW, or 5 YEARS FROM NOW.... WE JUST WANT A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. VISION TOWARDS AN INNER CITY STADIUM OR AAMI STADIUM ALTERNATIVE.

By all means spend money on water, health etc.... build the new hospital, but DON'T WASTE VALUABLE INNER CITY REAL ESTATE FOR IT.

I have stopped attending matches at AAMI as a protest because I will not pump money into a waste of time for myself and this state. If Rann/SANFL et al announced that AAMI was short terms and had a plan for the future of sporting in SA, I would support a price increase, start attending more matches etc, but he doesn't and I so therefore I won't.

I believe someone did mention this a while back, we aren't a third world country, should we sound like spoilt brats and say "hey, can't we expect health spending and also sport spending?".. To be honest, I don't know. But what I do know is that AAMI is not the way forward for SA, it is a giant step back no matter what kind of PT options are included. It's not attractive for SA people let alone tourists, major events or anything else.

[ricecrackers]

this Advertiser article, is it old news? was it written as a result of the game on Wednesday night?

we already knew that AAMI needed money spent on it to fix up the FIFA standard shortcomings. I expect the government will say as much and that the $100 million will be adequate to meet the minimum requirements.

2022 is a long way away and i suspect that is the more likely year for Australia to get it. I guess its feasible for Australia to host the WC without Adelaide included, but I think the Advertiser was using this as a shock tactic.

wont it only be 2 to 4 games between low drawing teams anyway?