Sensational-Adelaide.com

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

Norman wrote:The location where AUFC proposed. Near Bonython Park I believe.

Cruise wrote:

Norman wrote:The location where AUFC proposed. Near Bonython Park I believe.

Is there any funding for that?

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.

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.

mattblack wrote: 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.