Incoming Adelaide Crows chairman John Olsen says Adelaide Aquatic Centre move an option again
Incoming Crows chairman John Olsen says an Adelaide Aquatic Centre move is among options still being considered – months after the plan was shelved amid stiff opposition.
SA News
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An Adelaide Crows plan to move to the Adelaide Aquatic Centre remains an option despite significant restrictions and issues, says incoming club chairman John Olsen.
The former premier, who takes over as Crows chairman later this month, said the North Adelaide aquatic centre would be among sites considered in the next 12-18 months for a new base as club debt was retired.
It comes as a plan for a new Adelaide Aquatic Centre, costing up to $55 million, is suggested on the site of the former Franklin St bus depot, in the city.
The Crows’ plan to demolish the aquatic centre and build a $65 million training and administrative complex, which had faced stiff opposition from parklands campaigners and some nearby residents, was shelved in April.
“You wouldn’t walk away totally from it (the aquatic centre) but that has restrictions, that has issues,” said Mr Olsen, also the federal Liberal Party president.
“My view is you keep every option on the table. You work through every option and come to a landing on your preferred option and try to move forward on that.”
It is expected these options also will include Thebarton Oval, the Adelaide Showground at Wayville and others closer to the club’s home ground of Adelaide Oval.
The 1.6ha Adelaide City Council Nursery site and Adelaide University Football Club, both east of Adelaide Oval on War Memorial Drv, are among sites previously earmarked in the club’s bid to shift from West Lakes.
“You wouldn’t rule out any option that was on the table for a CBD or near CBD base. That has got to be a priority for the fans to be able to interact with their club, for a clear showcase of the history of the footy club, to give that fan training interaction, so people feel really connected and part of a club,” Mr Olsen said.
Asked if this might include co-locating with an SANFL club, he said the space requirements meant some state league bases would be ruled out.
He said key criteria for a new base would include accessibility for fans, along with indoor and outdoor training facilities.
“You can see that the shift to Adelaide Oval has increased attendances, because of accessibility, rather than being distantly located from the hub of the city,” he said.
“There are many combinations you could put in place over training versus a members’ clubrooms-type facility where you get that interaction.”
Mr Olsen said one option that had been put to him was the Crows operating a hotel for clubrooms and a separate training facility.
“It’d be best if you could put it all together, which will be the first priority," he said.
Another option might include partnering with a commercial developer for the West End Brewery site once it became vacant next year, creating a training facility like Hawthorn’s, surrounded by houses and apartments.
Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said Adelaide City Council would have to reconsider afresh any revived aquatic centre plan and subject it to extensive community consultation.
She said the council continued to assess options for the aquatic centre, including seeking funding from state and federal governments.