Adelaide Crows given permission to start formal plans for new HQ

The Crows have been given the go-ahead to start developing formal plans for a headquarters at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre site.

• Aquatic Centre firming as Crows’ community and sports centre
• Federal Government pledge $15m to Crows move
• Adelaide City Council to vote on giving Crows guidelines
• Aquatic Centre requires up to $15 million for ‘major refurbishments’

The Crows have been given the green light to press ahead with plans to redevelop the ageing Adelaide Aquatic Centre into its new $60 million headquarters.

Adelaide City Council last night gave the AFL side permission to start designing concept plans for the North Adelaide site for its training and administration complex.

The council will now provide the club with guidelines it has to meet before plans are lodged, which include community benefit, engagement, impact on parklands and value for money.

Council chief executive Mark Goldstone said those guidelines were strict and elected members could knock back any plan, should it not comply with them.

“In my discussions with the Adelaide Football Club, I have also made it clear that there will be non-negotiables surrounding any proposal,” Mr Goldstone told the meeting.

“Firstly, no licensed facility in the parklands, no increase in footprint beyond the size of the current facility and no significant change to the public’s access.”

Adelaide City Council Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said she looked forward to receiving a strong plan from the Crows.

She said the plan had to be a “triple threat”.

“It has to be a win, win, win – a win for the community, a win for council and a win for the Crows,” Ms Verschoor said.

“Otherwise, why would we go there?”

She said the community’s needs were “paramount” and public consultation would be comprehensive”.

Cr Alexander Hyde said he thought the Aquatic Centre was an eyesore and in need of a new lease on life.

Adelaide Crows training at Adelaide Oval. Picture: SARAH REED

“We have an unprecedented opportunity here … and I would be very keen to see what the design of the structure looks like,” Cr Hyde said.

The Sunday Mail first revealed last year that the Crows were eyeing a move to the North Adelaide parklands.

The council received a proposal from the Adelaide Football Club on February 19, 2019, to develop a sports and community complex at the site.

Currently, the council loses about $700,000 per year operating the parklands centre, which is losing water and has concrete damage and rust.

The last significant investment in the centre, which was the home of the state’s elite swimming programs until they moved to Marion, was about $8 million in 2014.

Cr Robert Simms said the community should be asked whether it wants the complex in the first instance, before the Crows develop formal plans.

“If the community are not in favour, should we be giving up our parklands … and allowing a private business to swoop and take control of the Aquatic Centre.” Cr Simms said.

The Crows still train at West Lakes — where they have been based since their inception in 1990.

Adelaide Football Club chief executive Andrew Fagan said all the guidelines would be addressed.

“We look forward to working closely with the council during the planning and consultation stage, and we are determined to deliver a facility which provides benefits for all relevant stakeholders, including the local community.”

Property Council SA executive director Daniel Gannon welcomed the council’s decision.

“The Adelaide Aquatic Centre has become a blemish on an otherwise beautiful location at the northern perimeter of North Adelaide,” Mr Gannon said.

“It’s in desperate need of investment, activity and new life, which makes this exciting discussion beyond appealing.”

The Federal Government has pledged $15 million for the club to help a move to the city.

Any final proposal to lease the parklands, would likely have to be put before parliament, “on the assumption that it will be for a term exceeding ten years”, a council report said.

About 750,000 people use the Adelaide Aquatic Centre each year, with just over 10 per cent Adelaide City Council ratepayers.