Revealed: Adelaide Crows develop secret plans to build new city headquarters near Adelaide Oval

THE Adelaide Football Club has developed a confidential proposal to build a city headquarters in the parklands just a few hundred metres from Adelaide Oval.

THE Adelaide Football Club has developed a confidential proposal to build a city headquarters in the parklands just a few hundred metres from the CBD’s new home of football.

The Sunday Mail can reveal that before the State Election the Crows briefed the highest levels of government about their “significant” ambitions to relocate their home to a new site located about 300m east of Adelaide Oval.

Under the long-term strategy to shift from the western suburbs, the Crows would build a new multi-storey headquarters on a site presently used by the Adelaide University Blacks’ football club.

Well-placed sources involved in the discussions described the location bordered by Sir Edwin Smith Ave and War Memorial Drive as the club’s “holy grail” and “number one dream site”.

While no designs have been developed, the plan would involve building on the existing grandstand, which would also house new Adelaide University infrastructure.

Multiple sources have confirmed the plans were floated with the State Government, Adelaide City Council and the Liberal Opposition by former Crows CEO Steven Trigg and various board members earlier this year.

The paper has sighted an email from one senior club official to one of the briefed parties requesting to discuss “significant plans” for the city.

The club, however, this week downplayed any imminent move, saying it was happy to remain at West Lakes, where it has extensive facilities, for the “foreseeable future”.

Club officials last night cautioned any move would likely not occur for between five and 10 years — if at all — due to factors such as development cost, impact on club finances, logistics and suitability.

The Uni Blacks are in line to become the Crows’ first feeder club while the Adelaide University has a 42-year lease on the grounds.

A well-placed source, who declined to be named, said of the Adelaide University site: “If you had a holy grail site that would be it. Any deal with the Blacks is not just about football but also about using the facilities.”

Any large-scale project would cost tens of millions of dollars and be highly contentious given it would involve construction on the city’s green belt.

Under current laws any development above $10 million is scrutinised by the State Government’s Development Assessment Commission.

Other issues such car parking, which is already at a premium in the area, and the impact on neighbouring residents, would also need to be resolved.

While expressing support for such a move, it is understood council officials cautioned against publicly discussing any plan ahead of the Local Government elections in November.

Adelaide has appeared reluctant to relocate to North Adelaide under cricket and football’s reunion at the renovated $535 million venue.

The club heavily invested in West Lakes after former Premier Mike Rann announced a $100 million upgrade of AAMI stadium in 2008 despite secret plans for Adelaide Oval underway.

It’s $20-million investment in the Westpac Centre and staff offices adjoining AAMI Stadium is seen as a major impediment to any city move. The club is also seeking to recoup the $21-25 million spent on the “New Shed”.

Victoria Park and parklands along West Tce have also been suggested as potential training bases as well as the Women’s and Children’s Hospital site when it eventually closes.

By November, the SANFL will decide whether to sell all or part of its West Lakes asset. Sources suggested any land sale could help fund a Crows move into the city.

One senior club official said its finances would hinder any move and cautioned there were no “definite plans”.

The official added: “We will probably come into the city but that is well advanced of my years.”

At present, both the Crows and Port Adelaide are allowed to train on Adelaide Oval once a week to ensure the ground is adequately maintained.

In a statement, AFC chairman Rob Chapman said: “We have a first-class training and administration centre, with access to our own stadium and grounds, with a long-term lease here at West Lakes.

“With this in mind, we are more than happy and content to stay put for the foreseeable future.”

Spokesmen for Premier Jay Weatherill and Opposition Leader Steven Marshall declined to comment.

Adelaide City Council chief executive Peter Smith and a spokesman for the Blacks club also declined to comment.

Mr Trigg, now Carlton’s chief executive, did not return calls.