Adelaide Crows pledged $15m from federal Government to help move to North Adelaide

Crows boss Andrew Fagan says the club is capable of establishing a $60 million state-of-the-art training and administration facility in North Adelaide as the Federal Gov­ernment pledges $15 mill­ion to help move the club from West Lakes.

• Aquatic Centre firming as Crows’ community and sports centre

Crows boss Andrew Fagan says the club is capable of establishing a $60 million state-of-the-art training and administration facility in North Adelaide as the Federal Gov­ernment pledges $15 mill­ion to help move the club from West Lakes.

As the Crows AFLW side runs out on to Adelaide Oval on Sunday in a bid to win its second premiership in three years, the club has given its strongest indication yet that it would like to establish a $60 million home at the site of the Adelaide Aquatic Centre.

South Australian senator and federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has told the Sunday Mail the funding for the Crows was made available because it would help benefit the community, encourage greater participation and opportunities in women’s football and further develop the indigenous football programs.

“The Adelaide proposal gives the possibility for an all-new modern aquatic centre and fitness facility to be built in North Adelaide servicing the broader Adelaide community,” he said.

The funding will be part of a $21 million funding pledge, to be unveiled in Tuesday’s federal Budget, that will also include $6 million for the SANFL’s $12.5 million redevelopment plans for Thebarton Oval.

South Australian senator and federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham.

Adelaide Football Club CEO Andrew Fagan

Mr Fagan said the funding was a significant step as the club advanced its masterplan design which is expected to be finalised toward the end of the year.

“It gives us greater certainty that we can deliver a facility that can deliver benefits and solve problems for multiple stakeholders,” Mr Fagan said.

“Given the issues we face at West Lakes, it provides the club with the ability to establish a state-of-the-art training and administration facility in proximity to Adelaide Oval.

“It would replace the ageing aquatic centre with new facilities for the community, it would help regenerate the O’Connell St retail district and, importantly, would allow for the enhanced delivery of significant community programs.”

Senator Birmingham said a strong focus of the funding was to help boost women’s football.

“Women’s footy has inspired new generations of girls with a message of both fitness and equality,” he said.

“We’re really excited by the opportunity to supercharge the interests in women’s sport with investment from local clubs right through to elite skills development.”

Mr Fagan stressed that any new home would have a strong focus on football pathways in women’s football for both “elite athletes” and “female administrators and coaches”.

“The masterplan, when developed, will also include dedicated facilities to deliver a range of programs focused on improving opportunities for indigenous youth across the pillars of education, health, lifestyle and employment,” he said.

His comments reinforce speculation the aquatic centre is the preferred site for the club’s headquarters.

Mr Fagan said the aquatic centre site could be a “win, win” for the club and the community but all plans would be subject to ongoing conversations with the Adelaide City Council and planning authorities.

“In recent weeks, we have spoken to the City of Adelaide about commencing the masterplan and we will work closely with them and all other relevant community stakeholders throughout this process through 2019,” he said.