Poll shows support, opposition and uncertainty over Adelaide Football Club’s proposed Aquatic Centre development
The Crows’ plans for the Aquatic Centre will go before council again next month – but in the meantime a poll has given some insight on how the public feels about it.
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Many South Australians want the Adelaide Football Club to press ahead with its plans to move into North Adelaide, a new survey shows.
A YouGov survey, conducted between March 6-11, showed 41 per cent of 856 voters wanted the training and administration complex at the Aquatic Centre site, while 24 per cent opposed the plans.
But, significantly, a further 35 per cent remained undecided.
It comes a week after Adelaide City Council’s consultation on the draft plans ended, with the results expected to be looked at next month.
That will determine whether the club can start on formal plans.
Deputy Lord Mayor Alexander Hyde said the results showed the community remained “open minded” to the proposal.
“It shows that people are keen to see more details on what the Crows are proposing,” Cr Hyde said. “And if the proposal is not good enough (once formal plans are presented), we reserve our right to reject the plan.”
The Crows released its plans to demolish the Aquatic Centre in December following mounting pressure from the community.
Its proposed building, located within the existing footprint of the Aquatic Centre, would be no higher than two storeys and separated into three integrated sections – a new aquatic centre, community building and training and administration building.
The new building would have a smaller footprint than the existing building and no ovals would be fenced off to give public access to the site.
The Crows have been promised $15 million by the Federal Government to help pay for the work, should it secure approval.
Mr Fagan declined to comment on the survey results, however he told The Advertiser earlier this month the move would be “transformational” for the club.
Adelaide Park Lands Preservation Association president Shane Sody disagreed that 41 per cent of people were open to the plan, saying there was a much higher number of people against a “commercial takeover of the Parklands”.
Some groups, including the Adelaide City Council’s peak Parklands advisory board, have been unsure about whether a commercial body should operate in the Parklands.
However, a report showed the council has spent $18 million on the ageing centre over the past 10 years and $21 million would need to be invested into the site to bring it up to scratch. Port Adelaide Enfield Council residents use the aquatic centre the most (22.6 per cent), followed by Charles Sturt Council (17.1 per cent) and Prospect (16.5 per cent), according to a council study.
Last week, Adelaide City Council voted down Cr Anne Moran’s push to abandon the side’s plan before consultation ended. Council staff said there would be “reputational implications” if the plans were shelved before it ended.