Dramatic video reveals full plans for second Riverbank sport and entertainment stadium, with elevating soccer pitch
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A multipurpose sports and entertainment arena planned for the Riverbank would have a field that turns into a roof and create almost 6000 jobs, a newly-revealed pitch video reveals.
Advertiser.com.au has obtained a dramatic fly-through and business pitch for the plan, which was produced by Adelaide Venue Management in its sell to the State Government.
It operates Adelaide Convention Centre, the Entertainment Centre and Coopers Stadium.
It is understood the video was developed late last year, and presented to the Government.
Premier Steven Marshall used the opening of parliament this year to put a second major city stadium on the agenda, but plans were put on ice as COVID rocked the state budget.
However, leading industry groups are now calling for the plans to be urgently reconsidered as the Reserve Bank called on states to deliver more stimulus to save and create jobs.
The proposed arena, dubbed Riverbank West, is sold as a fix to a range of sporting facilities that are at or nearing the end of their useful lives as well as for cultural and business events.
The most dramatic design feature is a rectangular soccer and rugby pitch designed to FIFA standards that can be elevated to create an enclosed space for conventions and indoor sport.
The arena would be tucked in on the riverfront, behind the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and train station, southwest of Adelaide Oval and adjacent the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Sports to be hosted there would include basketball, netball, soccer, rugby and tennis.
The capacity would be 15,000 fans in “court sports mode” for basketball and netball, but able to flex up to 22,000 for field sports like soccer and get 30,000 for arena-style concerts.
Proponents urge the government to back the plan to help deliver Mr Marshall’s “growth agenda”, a strategy he launched to focus on growing population and the economy.
“In order to unlock the full potential of the South Australian growth agenda we must be competitive, strategic and future-thinking,” the pitch video states.
“Currently, our exiting venue infrastructure is unable to maintain current socio-economic benefits or create new growth opportunities for South Australia.
“SA is missing out and is no longer competitive.
“The Riverbank West development gives South Australia the opportunity to grow as a world-class destination for investment, migration and liveability.”
The arena is imagined as the centre of a new CBD precinct that would able to unlock further private investment and activity around hotels, offices and recreation.
An accompanying business case forecasts 3200 direct and 5800 indirect jobs.
Master Builders SA chief executive Ian Markos has urged the government to put the plans back on the agenda, along with other landmark CBD projects such as a new concert hall.
Property Council of Australia SA executive director Daniel Gannon on Monday joined the push, saying low interest rates gave governments the capacity to borrow and build.
“SA needs to reinvent itself as the world and economy change around us,” he said.
“We need to put cranes across Adelaide’s skyline and undertake the biggest construction boom SA has ever seen.
“Let’s walk away from COVID-19 and proudly point to an infrastructure legacy that will drive economic development for generations to come.
He said “social infrastructure” should be given a higher priority than the South Rd tunnels, which are expected to cost more than $10 billion, because it created more economic spin-offs.
Treasurer Rob Lucas said a new stadium, which could cost $1.3 billion, would take too long to plan and build to deliver the new jobs needed in the current COVID recession.
He said the government was already in the midst of a $12.9 billion infrastructure program delivering upgrades to hospitals, schools and city and country roads.
“The things we are looking at is a whole series of projects that you can bring forward, and areas where you can leverage other money as well like transport,” Mr Lucas said.
A separate group has also been pushing a competing plan for a new CBD stadium.
A previous plan for a $200 million Memorial Drive upgrade has been expanded under a business case developed for Adelaide Oval’s Stadium Management Authority.
The tennis centre upgrade plan, which would involve closing War Memorial Drive to through traffic, is being pitched as significantly cheaper than the rival proposal by the railyards.
