Plans still alive for stadium despite Treasurer’s caution
Proponents of a new covered stadium for Adelaide will push on despite the treasurer ruling out such major projects in the wake of the multi-billion dollar COVID hit to the economy.
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Rival parties aiming to build a multipurpose sport stadium in the CBD will press on with their plans despite Treasurer Rob Lucas ruling out a major spend on a new facility due to the deteriorating state budget.
Proposals have been developed to build either a new indoor arena on the railyards and to continue to redevelop the Memorial Drive tennis centre but Mr Lucas has said there is no prospect for a $1 billion covered stadium in the foreseeable future.
The railyards stadium proposal, which carries a price tag of around $1 billion, is being pursued by the Adelaide Venue Management Corporation (AVMC), which operates the Adelaide Convention Centre, Entertainment Centre and Hindmarsh Stadium.
Corporation chairman Bill Spurr said it would “continue to explore a range of options with the Government’’.
The Stadium Management Authority, which runs Adelaide Oval, has been working with Tennis SA to redevelop Memorial Drive, which had a new roof installed last year.
An SMA spokesperson confirmed it had held “high-level conversations’’ about its proposal but did not want to comment further.
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Tennis SA chief executive Debbie Sterrey said the “next stage’’ of development would allow Memorial Drive to “host a wider range of community, sporting and entertainment events”.
Public Service Association chief Nev Kitchin warned Mr Lucas not to look for budget savings by slashing the public service.
“Investing in public sector jobs, services and facilities will also give workers the confidence to spend, which in turn contributes to economic growth,’’ Mr Kitchin said.