Sensational-Adelaide.com

Omicron wrote:Marvellous! More casino! More gambling! It does look a bit of a rabbit warren, and the Torrens frontage is still bothersome, but in principle I think it's delightful.

In reply to the bold - totally agree - like you'd find in the back streets of the SW area of the sq mile. (al crammed together with llittle obvious plan overriding it all). It doesn't stand out as anything significant but at least they don't plan to bastardise the station with an unsympathetic extension off it.

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

Just submitted my response to the DTEI Riverbank Precinct Questionnaire.

The Riverbank Master Plan aims to transform the Riverbank Precinct into a great place and destination for everyone. A place that’s alive - day and night.
Tell us your vision for Adelaide's Riverbank precinct. Take a couple of minutes to answer the questions below and help us create a place that’s enticing, internationally recognised and ultimately South Australian.

6 questions - add your thoughts.
http://www.infrastructure.sa.gov.au/maj ... stionnaire

thanks for posting that link Vee. Please everyone spend 5 mins submitting your thoughts.

I like the design of the Festival Theater. but in person it's let down by the exterior finish. I would personally love to see it upgraded as part of this development, even something as simple as some good nighttime lighting on the roofs. Imagine the Festival Theater with a similar effect on it to the new dome at the Entertainment Center.

I too like the Festival Centre, and too believe that it needs a freshening up. Cleaning up the facade to remove the grime, better illumination of the facade at night, and especially to cover up the ugly mural facing the Torrens with the same black glass like that of the Dunstan Playhouse. I really think that mural 'cheapens' the look of the festival centre and makes it look like a community centre in a low socioeconomic suburb.

I'd also render or preferably put some interesting cladding over the brown bricks.

Will wrote:I too like the Festival Centre, and too believe that it needs a freshening up. Cleaning up the facade to remove the grime, better illumination of the facade at night, and especially to cover up the ugly mural facing the Torrens with the same black glass like that of the Dunstan Playhouse. I really think that mural 'cheapens' the look of the festival centre and makes it look like a community centre in a low socioeconomic suburb.

Agreed.

Will wrote:I too like the Festival Centre, and too believe that it needs a freshening up. Cleaning up the facade to remove the grime, better illumination of the facade at night, and especially to cover up the ugly mural facing the Torrens with the same black glass like that of the Dunstan Playhouse. I really think that mural 'cheapens' the look of the festival centre and makes it look like a community centre in a low socioeconomic suburb.

Spot on - that mural, a) is positively vile, and, b) certainly does not befit such a prominent/important spot as the front of Festival Theatre, directly facing the river.
Get rid.

I also agree with the above few posts and have always thought that mural was a blight on an otherwise interesting building.

Regattas construction - Friday:










As a reminder, the artist's impressions are here:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/ ... 6038510921

AdelaideNow wrote:ADELAIDE Casino operator SkyCity says reports it has axed its $250 million Riverfront redevelopment are "unfounded and wrong".

In a statement to the New Zealand Stock Exchange, chief executive Nigel Morrison said the company remains committed to the project, although it is still fighting for regulatory change at a state level.

"SkyCity Entertainment Group has publically stated all along that we are excited by the opportunity to invest in Adelaide's Casino and that we very much want to be a part of the transformation of the Riverbank Precinct," he said.

"Our position has not changed since we announced our plans last year.

"Naturally we want a level playing field from a regulatory perspective so Adelaide can compete with casinos in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and we are working well with the Government on this.

"(We) are ready and willing to press the button on the redevelopment project as soon as these necessary approvals have been progressed."

A Fairfax report stated the group was preparing to release a statement to the market scrapping the redevelopment, which remains a key component of the revitalisation of the Riverbank Precinct.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6070909353

This is probably the article that started the rumour. From today's Age on-line:

New blow to Port's rescue bid
Ashley Porter, Adelaide
June 7, 2011

PORT Adelaide's off-field crisis has taken a turn for the worse with the possibility of the Adelaide Oval redevelopment being shelved.

The Age understands that the Sky City Casino group, a key investor in the development of the precinct, is about to announce from its Auckland headquarters it has scrapped plans to expand the Adelaide Casino to the bank of the River Torrens.

This upgrade, and a proposed bridge to Adelaide Oval, is a major part of the complete package, and without it the Mike Rann state government faces an even more daunting task to pass legislation on the $535 million project.
Advertisement: Story continues below

And with widely accepted views that the Adelaide Oval redevelopment will cost hundreds of millions of dollars more than the government has limited in its pledge, the project is far from certain to go ahead.

The AFL believes Port's move to Adelaide Oval is crucial to its long-term survival, and that of the Adelaide Football Club.

It is also understood that the AFL was asked by the SA state government via the SANFL to delay its announcement on Port's financial rescue package because it did not want further bad news while still trying to pass its legislation.

As reported in The Age last week, the AFL, which has worked hard to broker the best possible outcomes for SA football, is ready to announce it will take back the two AFL licences from the SANFL and give them to Adelaide and eventually to Port when it has proved its recovery plan is sustainable. Talks have been held for some weeks.

Furthermore, it wants to help Port survive until the clubs move their home games to Adelaide Oval in 2014 or 2015 by giving it a big slice of its share of the AFL's $1.2 billion television deal in advance to help cover Port's debt, which is believed to exceed $9 million.

It means the AFL would become a stakeholder in Adelaide Oval with the newly formed Stadium Management Authority, with SANFL general manager Leigh Whicker as its general manger. The AFL involvement would certainly further irk a reasonable portion of SA Cricket Association members.

The AFL will be expected to contribute financially to the project, but certainly not to the extent of the shortfall required, widely estimated at more than $200 million . The state government's $535 million pledge includes wiping off the SA Cricket Association's $85 million debt.

The AFL and SANFL strongly support a move by Adelaide and Port away from AAMI Stadium to Adelaide Oval because they believe the Adelaide Oval redevelopment will generate far greater attendances due to the city location.

Port needs 28,000 fans at home games at AAMI Stadium to break even financially, which it has achieved only once this season, when it played the Crows.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/n ... z1OZGfqXv5

Of course The Age would say that

Patrick Conlon should really learn to think before speaking...

Casino 'not critical' to Riverbank upgrade, says Patrick Conlon

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6071573374

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Patrick Conlon says he would not be "the least bit fussed" if SkyCity casino did not invest in the Riverbank Precinct redevelopment.

Mr Conlon was responding to an article in today's The Age by Ashley Porter that said casino management had not reached an agreement with the state government over its contribution to the project and the accompanying Adelaide Oval upgrade.

Mr Conlon told ABC 891 radio Mr Porter's article was incorrect.

"I'm really surprised by how much Mr Porter got wrong," Mr Conlon said.

The minister said he expected the casino remained committed to the precinct redevelopment.

"Let me make this absolutely clear," Mr Conlon said.

"Any private sector developer has an interest in upgrading the precinct."

However, he said the casino's involvement was not critical to its success.

"I would not be the least bit fussed if the casino were not to invest."

Mr Conlon revealed the government was talking to a number of other private sector investors interested in the project.

"The private sector sees this as a marvellous opportunity in a revitalised riverfront."

SkyCity Entertainment Group said yesterday in a statement that it remained committed to its $250 million redevelopment project for the Adelaide Casino as part of the riverbank upgrade.

"SkyCity Entertainment Group has publicly stated all along that we are excited by the opportunity to invest in Adelaide's Casino and that we very much want to be a part of the transformation of the Riverbank Precinct," its chief executive Nigel Morrison said.

"Our position has not changed since we announced our plans last year."

Sure, it's great that there are apparently lots of other private sector investors interested in the project, but surely saying something like, "I would not be the least bit fussed if the casino were not to invest.", is pretty stupid from a PR point of view.

Maximus wrote:Patrick Conlon should really learn to think before speaking...

Sure, it's great that there are apparently lots of other private sector investors interested in the project, but surely saying something like, "I would not be the least bit fussed if the casino were not to invest.", is pretty stupid from a PR point of view.

That's actually a pretty irresponsible thing to say by Conlon, then again, I would expect nothing less from him. I certainly wouldn't expect any more..